Finding Low-Hanging Bugs: A Practical Guide with Commands

In the world of cybersecurity, finding low-hanging bugs can be an excellent starting point for penetration testers, bug bounty hunters, and ethical hackers. These bugs often require minimal effort but can lead to significant security improvements. In this guide, we’ll explore practical strategies and commands to help you uncover these vulnerabilities efficiently.

What Are Low-Hanging Bugs?

Low-hanging bugs are common vulnerabilities that are easy to identify and exploit. They typically result from overlooked configurations, outdated software, or improper implementation of security measures. Examples include:

Misconfigured HTTP headersOpen directoriesOutdated software versionsCross-site scripting (XSS)SQL injection (SQLi)

These bugs are often the first entry points for attackers and should not be underestimated.

Step 1: Reconnaissance with Tools and Commands

Reconnaissance helps you gather critical information about the target. Start with these tools and commands:

Basic Information Gathering

#whois target.com

#dig target.com

#nslookup target.com

Subdomain Enumeration

Use Subfinder or Amass to discover subdomains:

#subfinder -d target.com -o subdomains.txt

#amass enum -d target.com -o amass_subdomains.txt

Port Scanning

Identify open ports using Nmap:

#nmap -sC -sV -oN nmap_scan.txt target.com

Directory Enumeration
Discover hidden directories with dirsearch:

#dirsearch -u https://target.com -e php,html,js -t 30

Step 2: Checking for Common Vulnerabilities

1. Misconfigured HTTP Headers

Scan for missing security headers using curl or Nikto:

#curl -I https://target.com

#nikto -h https://target.com

Look for missing headers like:

X-Content-Type-OptionsContent-Security-PolicyStrict-Transport-Security

2. Open Directories

Manually check for open directories by appending /robots.txt, /admin/, or /backup/ to the URL. Alternatively, use:

#gobuster dir -u https://target.com -w /path/to/wordlist.txt

3. XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)

Test form inputs with payloads:

<script>alert(1)</script>

For automated scans, use XSStrike:

#xsstrike -u https://target.com

4. SQL Injection

Start with manual payload testing in input fields:

‘ OR ‘1’=’1 —

Automate with sqlmap:

#sqlmap -u “https://target.com/login.php" — forms — batch

Step 3: Exploit Vulnerabilities Safely

If you identify a vulnerability, verify its impact but avoid causing harm. For instance:

For XSS, confirm it triggers in the browser.For SQLi, check if database details can be retrieved without altering the database.

Example: Extracting database names with sqlmap:

#sqlmap -u “https://target.com/login.php" — dbs

Step 4: Reporting Bugs

When reporting a bug, provide detailed information:

Steps to reproduce the issueEvidence (screenshots or logs)Impact of the vulnerabilitySuggestions for mitigation

Here’s an example report for XSS:

plaintext

Copy code

**Title:** Reflected XSS in Search Function

**Description:** The search field on target.com is vulnerable to reflected XSS.

**Steps to Reproduce:**

1. Navigate to https://target.com/search?q=<script>alert(1)</script>

2. Observe the JavaScript alert triggered.

**Impact:** Allows an attacker to execute arbitrary scripts in the user’s browser.

**Recommendation:** Implement input sanitization and a Content Security Policy (CSP).

Step 5: Staying Ethical

As a security researcher or bug hunter, always follow these principles:

Get Permission: Ensure you’re authorized to test the target.Be Non-Destructive: Avoid exploiting bugs in ways that could harm systems or data.Follow Disclosure Policies: Adhere to responsible disclosure timelines set by the organization.

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Conclusion

Finding low-hanging bugs doesn’t require advanced skills, but it does demand patience, a methodical approach, and the right tools. By mastering the commands and techniques outlined here, you can uncover vulnerabilities that improve security and build your expertise as a penetration tester or bug bounty hunter.

Happy hunting!