The Art of Reconnaissance A Comprehensive Guide for Bug Bounty Hunters

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In the dynamic world of bug bounty hunting, where the stakes are high and the competition is fierce, successful hunters understand the critical importance of reconnaissance. This initial phase lays the groundwork for identifying potential vulnerabilities and mapping out the attack surface. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the art of reconnaissance and provide bug bounty hunters with a roadmap to navigate this crucial phase effectively.

1. Passive Reconnaissance

Exploring OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) for valuable information.Leveraging search engines, social media, and public databases.Utilizing WHOIS and DNS records for domain information.

2. Active Reconnaissance

Enumerating subdomains using tools like Sublist3r and Amass.Conducting network scans with tools such as Nmap.Employing brute-force techniques to discover hidden assets.

3. Web Application Discovery

Utilizing tools like OWASP Amass and Subfinder for subdomain discovery.Analyzing robots.txt and sitemaps for hidden gems.Exploring common URL patterns and directory structures.

4. Technology Stack Identification:

Detecting web server, CMS, and framework fingerprints.Utilizing tools like Wappalyzer and BuiltWith.Exploiting fingerprinting techniques for identifying technologies.

5. API Reconnaissance

Identifying APIs through documentation and endpoints.Analyzing API traffic using tools like Burp Suite and Postman.Exploring common API vulnerabilities.