Discover Easy $500 Vulnerabilities!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Making $500 with Bug Bounties
• Five Most Common Vulnerabilities
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
  • Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)
  • Authorization Issues
  • Leaked Credentials
• How to Look for Vulnerabilities
• Exploiting and Reporting Vulnerabilities
• Advancing Your Bug Bounty Skills
• Conclusion

Article

Introduction

Bug bounties have become an increasingly popular way for individuals to make money by finding and reporting vulnerabilities in software and websites. While it may not be a quick overnight success, it is definitely possible to make $500 or more with bug bounties if You put in the time and effort. In this article, we will explore the five most common vulnerabilities you can look for and how to become better at finding and exploiting them. So, if you're interested in learning how to make money with bug bounties, keep reading!

Making $500 with Bug Bounties

Before we dive into the vulnerabilities, let's address the elephant in the room. Making $500 through bug bounties may not seem like a lot to some people, but it's a decent amount of money for the time and effort required. While bug bounties can offer higher rewards, it's essential to set realistic expectations.

Five Most Common Vulnerabilities

To make money with bug bounties, you need to know what vulnerabilities to look for. Here are the five most common vulnerabilities and how to detect them:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting is one of the most reported vulnerabilities in bug bounty platforms. To find XSS vulnerabilities, you need to understand how and Where To inject your payload. Instead of simply copying and pasting a generic payload into every field, take the time to understand the Context and where your input will end up. Look for different contexts such as script tags, input fields, or even random divs. By understanding the context, you can escape and inject JavaScript effectively.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSRF involves tricking a user into making an action without their knowledge. This vulnerability occurs when an application fails to verify whether a request was intentionally made by the user or not. When testing for CSRF vulnerabilities, pay Attention to the different endpoints within an application. If you find a form or action that allows editing of sensitive information, such as passwords or emails, that's a great place to start. Pay attention to how the application authorizes user access — cookies, custom headers, or CSRF tokens can all play a role. Combining CSRF with other vulnerabilities, like XSS, can lead to more impactful exploits.

Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)

IDOR vulnerabilities arise when an attacker can change the value of a resource identifier, such as an ID number, in a request. Changing this identifier can result in accessing data that does not belong to the attacker. To detect IDOR vulnerabilities, try changing the IDs in the URL or request payload and see if you can access unauthorized data. Keep in mind that larger organizations may use more complex techniques, such as hashing or combining multiple IDs, to prevent easy exploitation.

Authorization Issues

Authorization issues often go unnoticed but can be some of the most critical vulnerabilities. Look for different permission levels within an application and test if users can perform actions they shouldn't be able to. Start by creating multiple user accounts with different permission levels and test each one for unauthorized access. Utilize tools like Burp Suite to proxy your web requests and switch between different user Sessions. Document all the different user functionalities and groups, as this will make it easier to identify permission-related vulnerabilities.

Leaked Credentials

Even in today's digital age, companies still accidentally leak sensitive information like passwords and credentials on platforms like GitHub. To find leaked credentials, familiarize yourself with the technology stacks and third-party vendors used by the target company. Search for the company's domain and specific API key names on GitHub to see if any sensitive information has been exposed. While GitHub is the most common platform, don't limit yourself to it - explore other sources for leaked information as well.

How to Look for Vulnerabilities

To effectively find vulnerabilities, you need to develop certain skills and techniques:

1. Understand HTML and web technologies: This is crucial for understanding how different contexts and payloads can Interact with an application.
2. Learn how to use tools like Burp Suite: Burp Suite is an essential tool for intercepting and modifying web traffic, allowing you to test and exploit vulnerabilities.
3. Research and stay updated: Vulnerabilities evolve, and new techniques are constantly emerging. Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the bug bounty community.

Exploiting and Reporting Vulnerabilities

Finding vulnerabilities is only the first step; you also need to know how to exploit and report them effectively. Exploiting a vulnerability involves demonstrating the consequences and potential risks to the organization. When reporting vulnerabilities, provide clear and detailed information, including steps to reproduce the issue, screenshots or videos, and any supporting evidence. Be professional and concise in your communication with the organization, showcasing your expertise and helping them understand the severity of the vulnerability.

Advancing Your Bug Bounty Skills

As you gain experience and become proficient in finding vulnerabilities, consider expanding your knowledge by exploring more complex vulnerabilities like Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), Remote Code Execution (RCE), and learning about different technology stacks. Bug bounty hunting is an ongoing learning process, and always striving to improve your skills will open up new opportunities for higher payouts.

Conclusion

Bug bounties offer a viable way to make money by finding and reporting vulnerabilities in software and websites. While it may not be an overnight success, with the right amount of time, effort, and knowledge, you can make $500 or more. By understanding and detecting common vulnerabilities like XSS, CSRF, IDOR, authorization issues, and leaked credentials, you can start your bug bounty Journey. Continuing to learn, master new techniques, and stay up to date with the latest trends will help you succeed in this field.

Highlights

• Bug bounties provide an opportunity to make money by finding and reporting vulnerabilities.
• Realistic expectations are crucial for success in bug bounty hunting.
• The five most common vulnerabilities are cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), insecure direct object reference (IDOR), authorization issues, and leaked credentials.
• Skills like understanding HTML and web technologies, using tools like Burp Suite, and staying updated are essential for finding vulnerabilities.
• Effectively exploiting and reporting vulnerabilities is crucial.
• Advancing skills and knowledge in bug bounty hunting is an ongoing process.