How To Learn Bug Bounty Hunting - a Full Guide (2024)

Summary

Bug Bounty Hunting is an ethical hacking profession where individuals find and report vulnerabilities in digital platforms for rewards. To start, one must learn programming, web technologies, and JavaScript, as well as master a programming language like Python or Go and regular expressions. Joining security communities and choosing the right Bug Bounty Program based on scope, rewards, and personal skills is crucial. Beginners should focus on programs with a good attack surface and avoid overly complex ones. Persistence and enjoyment in the learning process are key.

Takeaways

• 💡 Bug Bounty Hunting is a form of ethical hacking where individuals find and report vulnerabilities in websites and apps for rewards.
• 💻 Basic knowledge of programming and web technologies is essential to understand how to exploit weaknesses in websites and apps.
• 🌐 Learning JavaScript is crucial as it's the language of the web and a common source of vulnerabilities.
• 🔠 Mastering a programming language for automation and script creation is necessary, with Python and Go being recommended for their versatility and efficiency.
• 🔍 Regular expressions are a powerful tool for data extraction and manipulation, enhancing the effectiveness of scripts and tools.
• 🤝 Joining Bug Bounty Security Communities through platforms like Nahamsec Discord Channel and Infosec Writeups is beneficial for networking and learning.
• 🎯 Choosing the right Bug Bounty Program is important, considering factors like scope, rewards, rules, and the program's responsiveness.
• 🚀 Starting with platforms like Bugcrowd, HackerOne, and intigriti can provide access to various programs and opportunities to learn and earn.
• 🔑 Understanding the attack surface and focusing on 'low-hanging fruits' like CSRF, SQL Injection, XSS, and Access Token Harvesting can help beginners find their first bugs.
• ❌ Avoiding programs with low attack surfaces, high competition, or complexity is recommended for beginners to prevent frustration.
• 🏁 Knowing when to drop a program and move on is key to efficient bug hunting and maintaining motivation.

Q & A

What is Bug Bounty Hunting?

Bug Bounty Hunting is a form of ethical hacking where individuals search for vulnerabilities in websites and apps, report them to the owners or developers, and receive a reward based on the severity of the bug found.

Why is Bug Bounty Hunting growing in popularity?

Bug Bounty Hunting is growing in popularity due to the increasing demand for secure digital platforms and the potential for substantial financial rewards, making it an attractive profession for skilled individuals.

What basic knowledge is required before starting Bug Bounty Hunting?

Basic knowledge of programming and web technologies is required to understand how websites and apps work, which is essential for finding and exploiting their weaknesses.

Why is JavaScript considered the most important language to learn for Bug Bounty Hunting?

JavaScript is the language of the web, used to create dynamic and interactive web pages, and is a common source of vulnerabilities, making it crucial for Bug Bounty Hunters to master.

What is the role of a secondary programming language in Bug Bounty Hunting?

A secondary programming language is used to automate tasks, create scripts, and develop tools that assist in the process of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities.

Why is regular expression important for Bug Bounty Hunters?

Regular expressions are a powerful tool for searching, matching, and manipulating strings, which can help in extracting, filtering, and modifying data from websites and apps, enhancing the effectiveness of scripts and tools.

What are some platforms where Bug Bounty Hunters can interact with a community?

Platforms like Nahamsec Discord Channel and Infosec Writeups on Medium offer spaces for Bug Bounty Hunters to chat, ask questions, share write-ups, and participate in live hacking sessions.

How can one choose a suitable Bug Bounty Program?

Factors to consider when choosing a Bug Bounty Program include the scope, rewards, rules, responsiveness of the program, and the individual's own skills, knowledge, and preferences.

What are some popular platforms that host Bug Bounty Programs?

Popular platforms include Bugcrowd, HackerOne, and intigriti, which connect hackers with companies and offer various programs across different industries.

What are some examples of low-hanging fruits for beginners in Bug Bounty Hunting?

Examples of low-hanging fruits include CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery), SQL Injection, XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), and Access Token Harvesting, which are common and relatively easier to find and exploit.

What should a beginner avoid when choosing a Bug Bounty Program?

Beginners should avoid programs with a low attack surface, high competition, or complexity, such as newspapers, e-commerce websites, banks, blockchain websites, mobile applications, desktop applications, and IoT devices.

How does one know when to drop a Bug Bounty Program and move on?

One should consider dropping a program if they find it unsuitable, are unable to find any bugs, or are wasting time. Signs include discomfort with the website's functionality or lack of progress after several weeks.

What is the most important attitude to maintain while engaging in Bug Bounty Hunting?

The most important attitude is to have fun and enjoy the process of hacking and learning. It's crucial not to get discouraged or frustrated if bugs are not found immediately or if submissions are rejected.