New to Bug Bounty You should FOCUS on THIS bug

Introduction

If you're new to bug bounty hunting, you've likely encountered various claims from individuals attempting to hunt for various types of bugs without much success. If this sounds familiar, you might want to take a different approach. My advice is to focus on a single type of bug at the outset, rather than overwhelming yourself with many vulnerabilities.

When I began my journey in bug bounty hunting, I concentrated on cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. I believe this is a wise path for beginners to take as well.

Why Focus on Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)?

Cross-site scripting is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript in a user's browser. This type of vulnerability can grant an attacker full control of the victim’s user account, based on how the web application is designed and developed.

Here are three compelling reasons to focus on XSS as a beginner in bug bounty hunting:

Reason 1: Easier to Learn

Cross-site scripting is easier to grasp compared to other vulnerabilities because it is a client-side attack. When you try to inject a payload into a form or a parameter, you can immediately observe how your input is rendered in your web browser. With some patience, you can repeatedly submit forms to analyze the output and see if it renders any JavaScript.

Since the processing happens on the client side, you’ll become very familiar with identifying websites that are susceptible to XSS vulnerabilities over time.

Reason 2: Automation Possibilities

XSS can be automated with the help of an array of tools like SSS Strike and Nox. These tools can assist in detecting potential XSS vulnerabilities automatically. Most tools support pipe input and output, which allows for better command integration with other tools.

While automation is beneficial, I recommend starting with manual discovery to fully understand how to identify XSS vulnerabilities.

Reason 3: Clear Risk Assessment

When creating a proof of concept to demonstrate an XSS bug, the risk associated with it is clearly defined. Generally, XSS vulnerabilities have at least a medium severity risk rating, and in some cases, the severity can escalate to critical based on the demonstrated impact.

From my personal experience, if your XSS report includes a functioning proof of concept, it has a high acceptance rate. In contrast, certain other bugs may lead to disputes regarding their impact, such as business logic vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, I recommend that bug bounty beginners focus on cross-site scripting vulnerabilities for three main reasons:

XSS is easier to learn as you can see the output in your browser.
It can be automated effectively with popular tools after manual learning.
The severity risk rating is generally clear, making it hard to dispute, thus improving the likelihood of your report being accepted.

I hope you find these tips helpful as you embark on your bug hunting journey. If you enjoyed this article or have additional tips for fellow beginners, please share them in the comments. Happy hunting!

Keywords

Bug Bounty
Cross-Site Scripting
XSS
Vulnerability
Automation
Proof of Concept
Client-Side Attack
Web Security

FAQ

Q1: Why should beginners focus on cross-site scripting (XSS)?
A1: XSS is easier to learn, can be automated, and usually has a clear risk assessment which makes it a great starting point.

Q2: What tools can help in finding XSS vulnerabilities?
A2: Tools like SSS Strike and Nox can assist in the automated detection of potential XSS vulnerabilities.

Q3: How can I demonstrate an XSS vulnerability?
A3: You can create a proof of concept that shows how JavaScript can be executed on a user’s browser, demonstrating the risk involved.

Q4: Are there other vulnerabilities I should consider?
A4: While there are many vulnerabilities you can explore, starting with a focused approach on XSS will build a solid foundation before moving on.