Hello there! Your guy Zokomon is back, and today we’re diving into a crucial topic ” The Biggest Mistakes Bug Bounty Beginners Make ” that every beginner should read before stepping into the world of bug bounty hunting.
Bug bounty hunting is an exciting and rewarding field, but it can be overwhelming for those just starting. Many beginners make the same mistakes repeatedly (including me when I started!). To help you avoid these pitfalls, I’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes and practical solutions so you can focus on finding your first big bug! 🚀
1. Rushing Through Reconnaissance 🔍
Why It’s a Problem:
- Skipping or rushing through recon means missing out on subdomains, hidden directories, and endpoints where vulnerabilities often hide.
- Recon is the foundation of successful bug hunting.
How to Avoid It:
- Use tools like Sublist3r, Amass, and httpx to perform thorough reconnaissance.
- Spend time mapping the application and understanding its functionality before testing.
2. Over-Reliance on Automated Tools 🤖
Why It’s a Problem:
- Automated tools won’t magically find critical vulnerabilities.
- They often miss logic flaws, business vulnerabilities, and unique configurations.
- Overuse can get your IP blocked, especially on sensitive targets.
How to Avoid It:
- Learn manual testing techniques and use automation only as a complement.
- Understand vulnerabilities like XSS, SQLi, and IDOR before relying on tools.
3. The Biggest Mistakes
Why It’s a Problem:
- Testing out-of-scope targets wastes time and can get you banned from a program.
- Ignoring scope rules makes you look unprofessional.
How to Avoid It:
- Always read the program’s scope carefully.
- Focus only on explicitly listed in-scope targets.
- Double-check any doubts with program support.
4. Submitting Invalid or Low-Quality Reports 📋
Why It’s a Problem:
- Reports marked as “Not Applicable” (NA) or “Informative” hurt your reputation.
- Low-quality reports waste time and reduce chances of private program invites.
How to Avoid It:
- Test thoroughly before submitting.
- Write detailed reports with steps to reproduce, impact analysis, and PoC videos.
5. Ignoring Business Logic Flaws 🏦
Why It’s a Problem:
- Business logic vulnerabilities are often critical but harder to find.
- Ignoring them means missing high-severity bugs.
How to Avoid It:
- Study how the application is supposed to work.
- Test for privilege escalation, bypassing paid features, and authorization flaws.
6. Giving Up Too Soon 😞
Why It’s a Problem:
- Bug bounty hunting requires patience.
- Most hunters fail multiple times before finding their first bug.
How to Avoid It:
- Treat failures as learning experiences.
- Set realistic goals, like finding one bug per month.
7. Avoiding the Bug Bounty Community 🌍
Why It’s a Problem:
- You miss out on valuable knowledge, tips, and motivation.
- Collaboration helps you learn faster.
How to Avoid It:
- Join Discord, Reddit, and Twitter bug bounty communities.
- Read write-ups from successful hunters.
8. Poor Organization 📂
Why It’s a Problem:
- Without proper tracking, you might overlook important vulnerabilities.
- It makes it harder to identify patterns or revisit targets.
How to Avoid It:
- Use tools like Notion, Excel, or text files to track recon data, testing progress, and submitted reports.
9. Chasing Money Instead of Learning 💰
Why It’s a Problem:
- If money is your only motivation, you might lose interest when you don’t find bugs quickly.
- Bug bounty hunting is more about learning and persistence.
How to Avoid It:
- Focus on learning new skills, and the rewards will follow.
10. Not Staying Updated 📢
Why It’s a Problem:
- Cybersecurity is always evolving.
- You might miss out on new attack vectors like Web3 vulnerabilities and API flaws.
How to Avoid It:
- Follow bug bounty experts on Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Read blogs, watch tutorials, and engage in forums to stay updated.
Final Thoughts 💡
Every beginner makes mistakes—it’s part of the learning process. The key is to recognize these mistakes early, learn from them, and keep improving. Bug bounty hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. With persistence and the right mindset, you’ll start finding those bugs (and payouts) in no time!
You can read my Previous Blog on “7 Best Strategies for Critical Bugs in Bug Bounty“
That’s it for today! What mistakes have you made in your bug bounty journey? Share your stories—I’d love to hear them!
See you next time! ❤️
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