Introduction
Starting bug bounty hunting can feel confusing. You’ve probably watched tutorials, read blogs, and tried random payloads — but still don’t know what works in real-world programs. The truth is, bug hunting is about consistent practice with small techniques.
In this blog, I’ll share 31 quick bug bounty tips you can try today. These are bite-sized, beginner-friendly, and cover areas like XSS, SSRF, fuzzing, JWT attacks, and misconfigured CSP. Think of this as your checklist to sharpen skills and move closer to real bug reports.
Input Validation & Injection
1. Reflected XSS
Inject <script>alert(1)</script> in parameters and see if it reflects back.
2. Blind XSS
Use payloads that send callbacks to your server (e.g., XSS Hunter).
3. Stored XSS
Try posting payloads in comments or feedback forms.
4. SQL Injection
Use ' OR '1'='1 in login forms to test weak queries.
5. NoSQL Injection
Send JSON like {"$ne": null} to bypass filters.
Authentication & Sessions
6. Weak Password Policies
Check if short or common passwords are allowed.
7. JWT Manipulation
Change algorithm to none or tamper with payloads.
8. Replay Old Tokens
Test if expired tokens still work.
9. Session Fixation
Log in with a fixed session ID.
10. Missing Logout
See if sessions remain valid after logout.
Server-Side Issues
11. SSRF
Replace URLs with http://localhost:8080 or cloud metadata endpoints.
12. Open Redirects
Use ?redirect=https://evil.com to test redirection.
13. File Upload Bugs
Upload .php disguised as .jpg.
14. Path Traversal
Try ../../etc/passwd in file paths.
15. RCE via Deserialization
Send crafted serialized objects to trigger code execution.
Fuzzing & Automation
16. Use Fuzzing Tools
Run ffuf or dirsearch to find hidden endpoints.
17. Parameter Fuzzing
Replace values with long strings or special characters.
18. Rate Limit Testing
Send multiple requests quickly to check limits.
19. DoS Testing
Submit huge payloads to see if the server crashes.
20. Recon Automation
Use Amass or Subfinder for subdomain discovery.
Security Headers & Configs
21. CSP Misconfigurations
Weak CSP can allow XSS bypass.
22. Missing Security Headers
Check for X-Frame-Options, HSTS, etc.
23. CORS Issues
Look for Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *.
24. Clickjacking
Embed site in an iframe to test.
25. Default Credentials
Try admin/admin or root/root.
API & Mobile Bugs
26. API Rate Limits
Send multiple requests with same token.
27. IDOR
Change user IDs in API requests.
28. Hardcoded Secrets
Inspect APKs for API keys.
29. GraphQL APIs
Use introspection queries to reveal schema.
30. Verb Tampering
Replace GET with POST or DELETE.
Miscellaneous
31. Read Documentation
Hidden features often lead to bugs.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Only testing login pages and ignoring APIs
Copy-pasting payloads without understanding
Skipping recon and going straight to exploitation
Ignoring “boring” bugs like misconfigured headers
Not documenting findings properly
Roadmap / Action Steps
Pick 3 tips and try them today.
Practice on HackTheBox, PortSwigger Labs, or OWASP Juice Shop.
Document every bug attempt — even failed ones.
Expand into SSRF and JWT attacks gradually.
Join bug bounty platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd once confident.
Key Takeaways
Bug hunting is about practice, not theory.
Start small: XSS, IDOR, SSRF are beginner-friendly.
Use fuzzing tools to discover hidden endpoints.
Always check authentication and session handling.
Document everything — it builds your portfolio.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need coding skills for bug bounty? Basic scripting helps, but you can start with tools first.
Q2: Which bug is easiest for beginners? XSS and IDOR are usually easiest to find.
Q3: How do I practice safely? Use labs like PortSwigger Academy or DVWA.
Q4: Can I make money quickly with bug bounty? No — focus on learning first. Rewards come later.
Q5: Which tools should I learn first? Burp Suite, ffuf, Amass, and OWASP ZAP.
Further Reading / Resources
OWASP Testing Guide (owasp.org in Bing)
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (nist.gov in Bing)
PortSwigger Web Security Academy (portswigger.net in Bing)
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