As a bug bounty hunter, finding vulnerabilities in a target application is crucial to success. However, even the most experienced hunters can make mistakes that impede their progress and ultimately lead to wasted time and effort. In this article, we will highlight the top 10 mistakes that bug hunters make and provide solutions on how to avoid them.

Problem 1: Not properly researching the target. Many hunters jump right into testing without properly researching the target first. This can lead to missed vulnerabilities and a lack of understanding of the target's infrastructure.

Agitate: Researching the target can take time, but it's a crucial step in the hunting process. Skipping this step can mean missing out on potential vulnerabilities and wasting time on testing irrelevant areas.

Solution: Before beginning testing, take the time to thoroughly research the target. This includes gathering information on the target's infrastructure, identifying subdomains and assets, and looking for publicly available information. By properly researching the target, you can identify potential areas of focus and increase your chances of finding vulnerabilities.

Problem 2: Not testing for all types of vulnerabilities. Many hunters focus on a specific type of vulnerability and neglect others, such as not testing for business logic vulnerabilities or missing out on testing for subdomain takeovers.

Agitate: Focusing on a specific type of vulnerability can mean missing out on potential bounties and overlooking critical vulnerabilities.

Solution: Be sure to test for all types of vulnerabilities, including web, business logic, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. This can help to ensure that you're not missing out on potential finds and increase your chances of identifying a wide range of vulnerabilities.

Problem 3: Not testing in all environments. Many hunters overlook the importance of testing in different environments, such as mobile or non-production environments.

Agitate: Failing to test in different environments can mean missing out on potential vulnerabilities and ultimately, on bounties.

Solution: Be sure to test in all environments, including web, mobile, and non-production environments. This canhelp to ensure that you're identifying all possible vulnerabilities and not overlooking any critical issues.

Problem 4: Not reporting vulnerabilities correctly. Many hunters fail to report vulnerabilities correctly, providing incomplete information or not following the target's vulnerability disclosure policy.

Agitate: Failing to report vulnerabilities correctly can result in delays in receiving bounties or even in the vulnerability being ignored.

Solution: Take the time to read and understand the target's vulnerability disclosure policy. Provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-reproduce information when reporting vulnerabilities. Include screenshots, proof-of-concepts, and any other relevant information. Additionally, make sure to follow up with the target after submitting the report to ensure that the vulnerability is being addressed.

Problem 5: Not keeping track of your findings. Many hunters fail to keep track of their findings, resulting in duplicated efforts and overlooked vulnerabilities.

Agitate: Failing to keep track of findings can mean wasting time and missing out on potential bounties.

Solution: Keep a detailed log of all findings, including information on the vulnerability, the date discovered, and any actions taken. This can help to ensure that you're not duplicating efforts and that all vulnerabilities are being addressed.

Problem 6: Not taking advantage of automation tools. Many hunters fail to take advantage of automation tools, which can greatly improve the efficiency of the hunting process.

Agitate: Not using automation tools can mean wasted time and effort, making it harder to identify vulnerabilities.

Solution: Take advantage of automation tools such as Burp Suite, Nmap, and others to help streamline the testing process. These tools can help you to identify vulnerabilities more quickly and efficiently.

Problem 7: Not joining a bug bounty community. Many hunters work in isolation, failing to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of other hunters.

Agitate: Working in isolation can mean missing out on valuable information and resources, and ultimately, on bounties.

Solution: Join a bug bounty community, such as HackerOne or Bugcrowd. These communities provide valuable information and resources, and can help you to connect with other hunters.

Problem 8: Not being persistent. Many hunters give up too easily, failing to follow-up on potential leads and not retesting vulnerabilities that have been fixed.

Agitate: Giving up too easily can mean missing out on potential bounties and not fully understanding the scope of the target's vulnerabilities.

Solution: Be persistent in your hunting efforts. Follow-up on potential leads, retest vulnerabilities that have been fixed, and continue to test different parts of the target's infrastructure. Additionally, be open to feedback and learn from any mistakes or failures. With persistence and perseverance, you can improve your skills and increase your chances of finding vulnerabilities.

Problem 9: Not being aware of the legal and ethical considerations. Many hunters are not aware of the legal and ethical considerations when it comes to hacking, putting themselves at risk of criminal and civil liability.

Agitate: Not being aware of legal and ethical considerations can mean getting into trouble with the law and damaging your reputation.

Solution: Be familiar with the laws and regulations that govern ethical hacking and vulnerability hunting. Understand what constitutes a legal and ethical hack, and always obtain written permission before beginning testing. Respect the target's terms of service and privacy policy, and do not engage in any activity that could cause damage to the target's systems.

Problem 10: Not taking time for self-improvement. Many hunters fail to take the time for self-improvement, neglecting to stay current with new hacking techniques and technologies.

Agitate: Neglecting self-improvement can mean falling behind in the field and missing out on potential bounties.

Solution: Take the time to improve your skills and stay current with new hacking techniques and technologies. Read books, articles and blogs, attend conferences and webinars, and participate in training programs. Additionally, work on developing other valuable skills such as networking, scripting, and programming. By constantly improving your skills, you can increase your chances of finding vulnerabilities and staying ahead in the field.

Bug hunting is a challenging and rewarding profession, but it's also easy to make mistakes that can impede progress. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can increase your chances of success and maximize your earning potential. Remember to research the target, test for all types of vulnerabilities, and use automation tools. Additionally, don't forget to join a bug bounty community, be persistent and follow the legal and ethical considerations. Most importantly, always strive for self-improvement to stay ahead in the field.

"Don't miss out on future updates on this important topic! Stay tuned for more in the days ahead."

Remember to follow me for more articles that can help you succeed in the cybersecurity industry

Related articles :

5 Advanced Bug Hunting Techniques for Experts (Part -1)

Uncovering Hidden Gems: 5 Advanced Bug Hunting Techniques (Part-2)

The Top 10 Platforms Every Hunter Should Know

Bug Bounty Hunting 101: "Choosing the Perfect Target"

Bug Bounty Hunting 101: 10 Must-Do Steps to Target Reconnaissance