Unveiling My Journey to Bug Discovery

Unveiling My Journey to Bug Discovery

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Choosing a Target
3. Setting Up the Approach
4. Recon
5. Authentication and Authorization Attacks
6. Application Logic and Business Logic Attacks
7. Technology-Specific Attacks
8. Injection and Other Attacks
9. Automation
10. Finding the First Bug
11. Expanding the Search
12. Bug Bounty Insights
13. Conclusion

Introduction

Today, we will explore my Journey in Bug Bounty, focusing on my first finding. As someone with a background in application security engineering and Pen testing, transitioning into Bug Bounty proved to be a unique challenge. In this article, I will walk You through my approach, the setup I used, and the step-by-step process of how I found my first bug. Along the way, I will share valuable insights and tips for beginners in the Bug Bounty field.

Choosing a Target

When it comes to Bug Bounty, selecting the right target is crucial. There are several factors to consider, including your objectives, preferred approach, target preferences, and potential restrictions. This section will Delve into these considerations and how they influence your choice of targets.

Objectives

Bug Bounty can serve various purposes, such as generating income, conducting vulnerability research, supplementing your study, or simply finding bugs for fun. Your objectives greatly impact the targets you choose and the approach you take. For example, if you aim to find as many bugs as possible, focusing on common vulnerabilities like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) might be the way to go. On the other HAND, if you Seek to improve your methodology and learn new things, manual testing and exploring attacks in the wild can provide valuable insights.

Approach

Your preferred approach also plays a significant role in target selection. Some Bug Bounty programs limit the use of automated tools, making manual testing the primary focus. Additionally, the size and complexity of the application's attack surface influence your preference. For example, e-commerce sites might be of interest if you specialize in testing authorization and authentication issues. Tailoring your approach to specific types of sites or focusing on certain vulnerabilities can enhance your chances of success.

Setting Up the Approach

Before diving into Bug Bounty hunting, it is essential to establish a clear and effective approach. This section will provide an overview of the steps involved in setting up the approach.

Recon

Reconnaissance is a vital initial step in Bug Bounty hunting. Understanding the target application's landscape and architecture is crucial for effective vulnerability identification. This typically involves searching for publicly available information, studying similar vulnerabilities reported in the past, and analyzing the target's behavior and functionality. By leveraging existing resources and learning from experienced Bug Bounty hunters, you can develop a solid foundation for your approach.

Authentication and Authorization Attacks

Once you have a comprehensive understanding of the target application, it's time to focus on authentication and authorization attacks. This phase involves testing the application's login and access control mechanisms to identify potential vulnerabilities. By exploring different user roles, privileges, and behavior, you can uncover weaknesses that may lead to unauthorized access or improper handling of permissions.

Application Logic and Business Logic Attacks

With a solid grasp of authentication and authorization, you can delve into application logic and business logic attacks. This phase entails analyzing the target application's underlying logic and workflows to identify vulnerabilities. By understanding how the application processes data and performs critical operations, you can uncover flaws that could be exploited for malicious purposes. Pay particular Attention to risky behaviors like file uploads and any custom code or functionality that may introduce vulnerabilities.

Technology-Specific Attacks

Depending on the target application's technology stack, it may be necessary to explore technology-specific attacks. For example, if the application is built with PHP, testing for Type juggling vulnerabilities might be Relevant. Similarly, if a specific templating engine is used, checking for template injection vulnerabilities becomes crucial. Additionally, keep an eye out for server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerabilities, as they often manifest alongside other vulnerabilities.

Injection and Other Attacks

Once you have thoroughly explored the primary attack vectors, it is essential to broaden your scope and evaluate injection and other attacks. This phase requires identifying potential points of injection, such as SQL injection or prototype pollution, and probing the target application for related vulnerabilities. However, the specific focus of this phase may depend on the discoveries and insights gained during earlier stages of testing.

Automation

In Bug Bounty, automation can significantly streamline the testing process and increase efficiency. This section will explore the benefits of automation and provide insights into setting up automated tasks.

Note: This section is still in progress. Once completed, it will cover the crucial aspects of automation in Bug Bounty hunting.

Finding the First Bug

Now, let's dive into the exciting journey of finding your first bug in Bug Bounty. In this section, I will share my experience, the target I chose, the techniques I employed, and the pivotal moment when I discovered the bug.

Note: This section is still in progress. Once completed, it will provide a detailed account of the process and steps involved in finding the first bug.

Expanding the Search

Finding a single bug is just the beginning of the Bug Bounty journey. In this section, we will explore the importance of continuing the search and expanding your testing efforts. By capitalizing on initial findings, you can potentially uncover deeper issues, design flaws, or vulnerabilities that extend beyond a single endpoint or component.

Note: This section is still in progress. Once completed, it will elaborate on the significance of expanding the search and provide guidance on exploring potential vulnerabilities beyond the initial bug.

Bug Bounty Insights

Bug Bounty hunting is a dynamic field with its own set of challenges and intricacies. In this section, we will delve into some valuable insights and advice Based on my experience in Bug Bounty hunting.

Note: This section is still in progress. Once completed, it will provide insights, tips, and advice for aspiring Bug Bounty hunters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bug Bounty presents an exciting opportunity to uncover vulnerabilities and contribute to the security of various applications. With a well-defined approach, effective target selection, and continuous learning, Bug Bounty hunters can make significant discoveries. Remember that Bug Bounty is not just about finding bugs but also understanding the underlying vulnerabilities and the application's behavior. So, embrace the journey, stay motivated, and keep honing your skills to become a successful Bug Bounty hunter.

Note: This section is still in progress. Once completed, it will provide a comprehensive conclusion summarizing the key takeaways from the article.

Highlights

• Introduction to Bug Bounty and the challenges faced in the transition from application security engineering and Pen testing.
• Factors to consider when choosing a target, including objectives, approach, and target preferences.
• Establishing an effective approach, starting with Recon and progressing through authentication, authorization, application logic, and technology-specific attacks.
• The role of automation in Bug Bounty and insights into setting up automated tasks.
• Sharing the experience of finding the first bug and the significance of expanding the search.
• Valuable insights and advice for aspiring Bug Bounty hunters.
• Emphasizing the importance of understanding vulnerabilities and the behavior of the target application.
• Conclusion highlighting the key takeaways from the article.