Hello there! Your guy Zokomon is back, and today we’re diving into ” How to Find Bugs in Web3 Projects ” one of the hottest topics in bug bounty hunting: finding bugs in Web3 projects.
Web3 is revolutionizing the internet with blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi). But with new tech comes new vulnerabilities—and big payouts for hunters who know where to look. If you’re ready to level up your game, this blog will show you how to hunt for bugs in Web3 projects like a pro. 🚀
Why Web3 is a Goldmine for Bug Bounty Hunters
Web3 is loaded with opportunities for bug bounty hunters because:
1) High Stakes – DeFi platforms handle billions of dollars, and securing them is critical.
2) Complex Systems – Blockchain, smart contracts, and dApps introduce unique vulnerabilities.
3) Massive Bounties – Many Web3 projects offer payouts of $1 million or more for critical vulnerabilities.
💡 If you master Web3 security, you’re stepping into one of the most lucrative areas of bug bounty hunting!
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Bugs in Web3 Projects
1. Learn the Basics of Web3 Technology
Before you can find vulnerabilities, you need to understand how Web3 works.
🔹 Key Concepts to Learn:
- Blockchain – The distributed ledger where transactions are recorded.
- Smart Contracts – Self-executing contracts with code that defines rules and actions.
- DeFi Platforms – Decentralized financial systems like lending, staking, and trading platforms.
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on Ethereum first, as it’s the most widely used blockchain for smart contracts. Once you master Ethereum, explore other chains like Solana or Binance Smart Chain (BSC).
2. Study Common Web3 Vulnerabilities
Web3 introduces unique vulnerabilities that don’t exist in traditional systems.
🔹 Common Vulnerabilities: ✅ Reentrancy Attacks – Exploiting a smart contract’s ability to call itself during execution. ✅ Integer Overflows/Underflows – Breaking math operations to manipulate funds or logic. ✅ Logic Flaws – Bugs in how the smart contract handles edge cases. ✅ Private Key Leaks – Exposing private keys used for signing transactions. ✅ Flash Loan Exploits – Manipulating DeFi protocols with large, instant loans.
💡 Pro Tip: Read post-mortems of Web3 hacks to understand how vulnerabilities were exploited.
3. Perform Recon on Web3 Targets
Recon is the foundation of finding Web3 bugs.
🔹 What to Look For:
- Open-source smart contracts on platforms like Etherscan or SolScan.
- API endpoints or backend systems that interact with the blockchain.
- DeFi platform documentation for clues about features and workflows.
🔹 Tools for Web3 Recon:
- Etherscan – To explore blockchain transactions and contract details.
- Tenderly – For analyzing and debugging smart contracts.
- Subgraph Tools – Like The Graph, to query decentralized data.
💡 Pro Tip: Bookmark Etherscan’s contract verification page to dive into contract code directly.
4. Analyze Smart Contracts
Smart contracts are the heart of Web3 systems—and the prime target for vulnerabilities.
🔹 How to Test Smart Contracts:
- Read the code line by line to identify logical flaws or insecure practices.
- Simulate transactions to test edge cases and potential exploits.
🔹 Tools for Smart Contract Analysis:
- Mythril – For automated smart contract vulnerability detection.
- Slither – For static analysis of Solidity code.
- Hardhat – A development framework for testing and deploying Ethereum contracts.
💡 Pro Tip: Look for functions like withdraw() or transfer()—these often handle funds and are common attack points.
5. Test for DeFi-Specific Vulnerabilities
DeFi platforms introduce additional risks because they manage user funds.
🔹 What to Test:
- Price Manipulation – Can you manipulate oracles to change the value of tokens?
- Flash Loans – Can you exploit flash loans to drain liquidity pools?
- Permissioned Actions – Are admin-level functions secure from misuse?
💡 Pro Tip: Use DeFi simulation tools like Tenderly or Brownie to test without spending real tokens.
6. Explore Web3 Authentication and Wallets
Authentication and wallets are critical components of Web3 applications.
🔹 What to Test:
- Are wallet signatures being verified correctly?
- Can you bypass authentication by modifying headers or payloads?
- Are sensitive keys or secrets exposed in the code?
💡 Pro Tip: Tools like MetaMask and WalletConnect are great for testing wallet interactions.
7. Automate Where Possible
Automation can help scale your Web3 bug hunting efforts.
🔹 Tools to Automate Web3 Testing:
- MythX – A cloud-based smart contract security scanner.
- Remix IDE – For deploying and testing smart contracts in a browser.
- Fuzzers – To generate random inputs and test for unexpected behaviors.
💡 Pro Tip: Combine automated tools with manual testing for the best results.
Tips for Long-Term Success in Web3 Bug Hunting
✅ Stay Updated – Web3 is evolving rapidly. Follow security blogs, join Discord communities, and attend conferences to stay ahead. ✅ Practice on Testnets – Use Ethereum testnets or private networks to test ideas without spending real funds. ✅ Collaborate with Experts – Engage with other hunters in the Web3 space to learn and grow together. ✅ Document Everything – Track your findings and create detailed reports for submission.
The Rewards of Web3 Bug Hunting
Web3 offers some of the biggest rewards in bug bounty hunting. With payouts reaching $1 million or more, this space is ideal for hunters who are ready to put in the work. But it’s not just about the money—by finding bugs, you’re helping secure the future of decentralized systems.
Final Thoughts
Web3 bug hunting is challenging but incredibly rewarding. By understanding the technology, mastering common vulnerabilities, and using the right tools, you can uncover critical bugs that others miss. 💰
That’s it for today! Are you already hunting Web3 bugs, or are you just getting started? Share your experiences—I’d love to hear them! 👇
You can read my previous blog on ” How to Master API Testing for Bug Bounty Success? “
And don’t miss the next blog, where we’ll discuss How to Stay Ahead of the Curve in Bug Bounty Hunting. 🚀
Bye for now! ❤️
