# Bug Bounty Hunting Checklist for Beginners (2024 Edition)

So, you've decided to dive into the world of bug bounty hunting? Welcome to the **hackers' paradise**! 🐱‍💻 Whether you're here to flex your skills, bag some bounties, or just because you're curious, this checklist will help you stay focused and guide you through the essentials. And yes, you’ll get to play with some cool tools along the way. Let's roll.

***

**1. Reconnaissance: The First Step to Your Bug Bounty Hunt**

It all starts with good old recon. Think of this as the stalking phase...but, you know, for ethical reasons.

**💡 What’s the Goal?**

Gather as much dirt (info) as you can about your target.

**🔧 Tools of the Trade:**

* **Subdomain Enumeration**:
  * `Subfinder`, `Amass`, `Assetfinder`, `Findomain`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    subfinder -d target.com -silent | anew subs.txt
    ```

    This will list all the subdomains, and the more you find, the bigger the playground! 🎢
* **DNS Resolution**:
  * `MassDNS`, `dnsx`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    dnsx -l subs.txt -silent -r resolvers.txt -o dns_resolved.txt
    ```

    This command helps you resolve live domains from the list. No one likes dead ends, right?
* **Port Scanning**:
  * `Nmap`, `Naabu`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    naabu -host target.com -silent | anew open_ports.txt
    nmap -sC -sV -p $(cat open_ports.txt) target.com -oN nmap_scan.txt
    ```

You’re basically creating your target map. More info = more potential exploits. **It’s all about the recon.**

***

*Insert meme here*: "Recon be like: I see everything..."

***

**2. Mapping the Attack Surface**

With recon done, it’s time to understand the **attack surface**. This is where you’ll be digging for gold!

**🔧 Tools:**

* **Directory Bruteforcing**:
  * `Dirsearch`, `FFuF`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    dirsearch -u https://target.com -e php,asp,js -o dirsearch.txt
    ```
* **Technology Detection**:
  * `WhatWeb`, `Wappalyzer`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    whatweb target.com
    ```

    This tells you what tech stack the target is using. **Is it WordPress? Apache? PHP?** Knowing this helps you tailor your attacks.
* **Content Discovery**:
  * `GAU`, `Waybackurls`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    gau target.com | anew endpoints.txt
    ```

    You’ll get a list of old URLs or endpoints from web archives. If the company thought they could hide, they’re mistaken. 😎

***

*Insert meme here*: "When you find a juicy old endpoint: Jackpot! 🤑"

***

**3. Testing for Vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)**

Okay, now let’s get to the fun part! Time to break stuff. 🔨 The OWASP Top 10 is your starting point for vulnerability hunting.

**3.1 SQL Injection (SQLi):**

* **Tool**: `SQLMap`
* Example:

  ```bash
  sqlmap -u "https://target.com/product.php?id=1" --dbs
  ```

  This is like sending a nuke to the database. You’ll want to dump those juicy tables and grab that sensitive info.

**3.2 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):**

* **Tool**: `KXSS`, `Dalfox`
* Example:

  ```bash
  kxss -u https://target.com/search?q=test | anew possible_xss.txt
  dalfox url https://target.com/?q=search --skip-mining -o xss_results.txt
  ```

  Stored, reflected, DOM-based – XSS comes in all flavors. **Make sure to sanitize those inputs, dear developers!**

**3.3 Command Injection:**

* **Tool**: `Burp Suite`
* Example:

  ```bash
  https://target.com/search.php?cmd=ls;
  ```

  If you can inject a command into an input field and execute it on the server, you've hit the jackpot!

**3.4 Broken Authentication:**

* **Tool**: `Burp Suite`, manual testing
  * Check for weak login mechanisms, session hijacking, and poor session management.

**3.5 Security Misconfigurations:**

* **Tool**: `Nuclei`
* Example:

  ```bash
  nuclei -t cves/ -l targets.txt -o vulns.txt
  ```

  Automate the process of finding misconfigurations and common CVEs. Quick and easy.

***

*Insert meme here*: "When the devs forgot to sanitize input: Guess who's back...back again...XSS is back...tell a friend."

***

**4. Exploitation and Payload Crafting**

If you’ve found a vulnerability, the next step is to **craft a payload** and see if you can exploit it.

**🔧 Tools:**

* **Exploitation Framework**:
  * `Metasploit`
  * Example:

    ```bash
    msfconsole
    use exploit/unix/webapp/wp_admin_shell_upload
    ```
* **Payload Crafting**:
  * `PayloadAllTheThings`
  * This repository is your BFF. You’ll find pre-built payloads for everything – SQLi, XSS, SSRF, RCE, and more.

***

*Insert meme here*: "When your payload works on the first try: Wait, it actually worked?!"

***

**5. Privilege Escalation and Post-Exploitation**

You’re in. 🎉 Now what? Time to see if you can **escalate your privileges** or extract sensitive data.

**🔧 Tools:**

* **Local File Inclusion (LFI)**:

  * Example:

    ```bash
    https://target.com/page.php?file=../../../../etc/passwd
    ```

  If you can read sensitive files, you’re golden.

**🔧 Other techniques:**

* Privilege escalation via weak permissions or vulnerable configurations.
* Try to move laterally within the network or system.

***

*Insert meme here*: "When you gain root access: I have the power!"

***

**6. Reporting: The Final Boss**

You found the bug, exploited it, and now it’s time to report it. **Be professional** – your report should be clear and concise.

**💡 What to include:**

1. **Summary**: Briefly describe the vulnerability.
2. **Steps to Reproduce**: Walk through how you found and exploited it.
3. **Impact**: What’s the worst that could happen if this bug is exploited?
4. **Proof of Concept (PoC)**: Screenshots, videos, or snippets.
5. **Mitigation**: Suggest fixes for the devs.

Platforms like **HackerOne**, **Bugcrowd**, and **Open Bug Bounty** will be your primary homes.

***

*Insert meme here*: "When you submit a report and the devs patch it in 5 minutes: They grow up so fast 😢"

***

#### Final Thoughts

Bug bounty hunting is both a challenge and an art. 🎨 This checklist gives you a structured approach, but always be **curious**. Try new things, dig deeper, and always keep learning. And remember, the best bugs often come from **thinking outside the box**.

Good luck, and happy hacking! 💻
