How to Use Proxy for Bug Hunting

If you are a bug hunter, you might want to use a proxy as one of your tools to find and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications and services. A proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between your computer and the target website or service. It can help you to hide your real IP address, bypass censorship or geo-restrictions, and modify or inspect the traffic between you and the target. In this post, I will explain why and how to use a proxy for bug hunting.

Why use a proxy for bug hunting?

There are several benefits of using a proxy for bug hunting, such as:

• Anonymity: A proxy can help you to conceal your real IP address and location from the target website or service. This can protect your privacy and security, as well as prevent any potential legal issues or retaliation from the target. For example, if you are testing a website that is restricted in your country or region, you can use a proxy to access it without revealing your identity or location.

• Bypassing: A proxy can help you to bypass any censorship or geo-restrictions that may prevent you from accessing some websites or services in certain regions or countries. This can expand your scope and opportunities for bug hunting, as well as allow you to test different scenarios and configurations. For example, if you are testing a website that has different features or functionalities for different regions or countries, you can use a proxy to switch between them and find any vulnerabilities.

• Modifying: A proxy can help you to modify or manipulate the traffic between you and the target website or service. This can enable you to test various parameters, headers, cookies, payloads, and more, and find any vulnerabilities that may not be visible otherwise. For example, if you are testing a website that has some security mechanisms or filters that block your requests or responses, you can use a proxy to bypass them and exploit them.

• Inspecting: A proxy can help you to inspect or analyze the traffic between you and the target website or service. This can help you to understand how the target works, what data it sends and receives, and what vulnerabilities it may have. For example, if you are testing a website that has some hidden or sensitive information in its requests or responses, you can use a proxy to capture and examine them.

How to use a proxy for bug hunting?

There are different types of proxies that you can use for bug hunting, such as:

• Web proxies: Web proxies are websites that allow you to access other websites through them. They are easy to use, as you just need to enter the URL of the target website in their interface and click on a button. However, they are also limited in their functionality, as they may not support all the features or protocols of the target website, and they may also inject their own ads or scripts into the traffic. Some examples of web proxies are Hide.me, and Hidester.com

• Browser proxies: Browser proxies are extensions or plugins that allow you to configure your browser to use a proxy server. They are more flexible than web proxies, as they allow you to choose different proxy servers from different locations and protocols, and they also support all the features and functionalities of your browser. However, they are also dependent on your browser settings and performance, and they may also leak your real IP address or other information through WebRTC or DNS requests. Some examples of browser proxies are FoxyProxy.

• Software proxies: Software proxies are applications that allow you to create your own proxy server on your computer or connect to an external proxy server. They are more powerful than browser proxies, as they allow you to control all aspects of your proxy server, such as port number, encryption level, authentication method, logging option, and more. They also allow you to modify or inspect the traffic in real time using various tools and techniques. However, they are also more complex than browser proxies, as they require installation and configuration on your computer, and they may also consume more resources or bandwidth. Some examples of software proxies are Burp Suite, ZAP, and Fiddler.

Conclusion

A proxy is a useful tool for bug hunting, as it can help you to achieve anonymity, bypassing, modifying, and inspecting of the traffic between you and the target website or service. However, it also has some drawbacks and risks that you should be aware of, such as speed, security, legality, and reliability. Therefore, you should use a proxy wisely and responsibly, and always follow the ethical principles and best practices of bug hunting. Happy hunting!