Hello there! Your guy Zokomon is back, and today we’re talking about “The Most Overlooked Vulnerabilities That Can Earn Big”—but can still earn you big payouts if you know where to find them.
While everyone is chasing XSS, SQLi, and RCE, there are other vulnerabilities hiding in plain sight. They may not sound glamorous, but trust me, they’re worth your time. Let’s dive into some underrated vulnerabilities that have the potential to boost your bug bounty success! 🚀
1. IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- Many hunters assume IDORs are “too basic” or think they’ve already been patched.
🔹 Where to Find It
- User profile pages or account-related actions like updating passwords.
- API endpoints where you can manipulate user IDs or resource identifiers.
🔹 Real Impact
- Imagine accessing another user’s personal data or making unauthorized changes to their account. These bugs can lead to high-severity reports and big payouts.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Test everything: profile edits, file downloads, and API requests. Even small endpoints can have big consequences.
2. HTTP Request Smuggling
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- It’s a bit technical, and many hunters find it intimidating.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Proxy servers, load balancers, and CDNs.
- Multi-tiered architectures where HTTP requests are parsed differently.
🔹 Real Impact
- Can lead to session hijacking, bypassing authentication, or exposing sensitive data.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Use Burp Suite’s HTTP Smuggler extension to test for this vulnerability.
3. Rate Limiting Bypass
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- It’s not as flashy as RCE or SQLi, and some hunters assume programs have strong protections.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Login forms, password reset endpoints, and API request limits.
🔹 Real Impact
- Bypassing rate limits can lead to brute-force attacks or mass data scraping, resulting in high-severity reports.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Use Burp Suite Intruder to test for rate limiting.
- Add headers like X-Forwarded-For to bypass IP-based restrictions.
4. Business Logic Flaws
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- They require creativity and a deep understanding of application workflows, which many hunters skip.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Payment systems, shopping carts, and user permissions.
- Bypass scenarios where you can get free products or escalate privileges.
🔹 Real Impact
- These bugs often result in high payouts because they expose critical flaws in an app’s core functionality.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Think like a user trying to game the system. If you can do something unintended, it’s worth reporting.
5. Session Fixation
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- Many hunters assume session management is secure by default.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Login flows, especially where session tokens aren’t invalidated properly.
- Systems where session cookies are reused across multiple login attempts.
🔹 Real Impact
- Can lead to full account takeover, making it a high-severity vulnerability.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Test login mechanisms for session reuse and token validation after logout.
6. CSP Misconfigurations (Content Security Policy)
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- Hunters focus on finding direct XSS bugs and overlook the CSP header entirely.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Check the Content-Security-Policy header in web responses.
- Look for overly permissive policies like
script-src 'unsafe-inline'.
🔹 Real Impact
- A weak CSP can allow attackers to exploit XSS vulnerabilities more easily.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Use tools like CSP Evaluator to analyze CSP misconfigurations.
7. Open Redirects
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- Many hunters dismiss it as “not applicable” or low impact.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Login redirections, URL parameters, and third-party integrations.
🔹 Real Impact
- When combined with phishing attacks, open redirects can trick users into revealing sensitive data.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Test all redirect parameters, especially ones used in login flows.
8. Misconfigured APIs
🔹 Why It’s Overlooked
- Beginners often skip API testing due to lack of knowledge or tools.
🔹 Where to Find It
- Test public and private APIs for:
- Endpoints that expose user data.
- Admin functionalities that shouldn’t be publicly accessible.
- Misconfigured access controls.
🔹 Real Impact
- API misconfigurations can lead to account takeovers, data leaks, or privilege escalation.
🔹 Pro Tip
- Use Postman to systematically test APIs.
- Always check for authorization flaws and overexposed data.
Final Thoughts 💡
Some vulnerabilities may not seem flashy, but they can have a huge impact when exploited in the right way. By focusing on overlooked areas, you can find unique bugs that others miss—and earn big payouts while doing so. 💰
You can read my previous blog about “The Biggest Bug Bounty Payouts of Lifetime! 2025 “
That’s it for today! Have you ever found an overlooked bug that earned you a big reward? Share your story—I’d love to hear it! 👇
Bye for now! ❤️
