What are Low Hanging Bugs? | Easy way to find them️‍♂️

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Hello, everyone! 👋

I’m Abhijeet Kumawat, a passionate security researcher 🕵️‍♂️, and today, In this blog post, we’ll dive into what low-hanging bugs are, why they’re important, and how you can find them. 🚀

In the world of cybersecurity and ethical hacking, finding vulnerabilities is a mix of art and science. 🎨🔬 Some bugs require advanced skills, tools, and hours of effort, but others are surprisingly easy to discover and exploit. These easy-to-find vulnerabilities are known as low-hanging bugs — the “fruit” that hangs closest to the ground, ready for you to pick! 🍏✨

Low-hanging bugs are basic and easy-to-find vulnerabilities in websites, applications, or systems. They don’t require advanced skills or tools to uncover, but they can still cause significant damage if exploited. Think of them as beginner-friendly vulnerabilities that every bug hunter or security enthusiast should know about.

Examples include:

Misconfigured Security Headers 🛡️Default Credentials 🔑Open Directories 📂Outdated Software 🕰️Exposed Sensitive Information 🔓

Easy Wins for Beginners 🥳: If you’re new to bug hunting or penetration testing, low-hanging bugs are a great way to build confidence and sharpen your skills.Quick Results for Companies⚡: Fixing these vulnerabilities can immediately boost a system’s security. Even small fixes can prevent big breaches!Build your Reputation as a Bug Hunter🌍: Reporting these bugs can earn you recognition, whether it’s a Hall of Fame shoutout, a bounty reward, or just a heartfelt thank-you from the company.

These are HTTP headers that provide additional security to web applications. If they’re missing or misconfigured, attackers can exploit them.

How to Check? Use tools like SecurityHeaders.com or browser extensions.Common Missing Headers:Content Security Policy (CSP)HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)X-Content-Type-Options

Many systems are shipped with default usernames and passwords like admin:admin or root:toor. If these aren’t changed, anyone can log in!

How to Check? Try logging in with default credentials.Tools to Use: Hydra, Medusa, or simply Google the defaults for specific systems.

Sometimes, directories or files on a server are left accessible without proper permissions. This can expose sensitive data like configuration files, backups, or source code.

How to Check? Look for directories like /admin/, /backup/, or /logs/ on a website.Tools to Use: Use directory brute-forcing tools like Dirb or Gobuster.

Old versions of software often have known vulnerabilities. If a website or system hasn’t updated its software, attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities.

How to Check? Look for version numbers in error messages, HTTP headers, or public changelogs.Examples of Outdated Software: WordPress plugins, CMS platforms, or database management systems.

Developers sometimes leave sensitive information like API keys, private keys, or passwords in public places like GitHub repositories or code files.

How to Check? Search for .env files, API keys, or credentials in GitHub repositories or exposed code.Tools to Use: GitHub Dorks, Burp Suite, or manual inspection.

Start Small and Simple 🧑‍🎓Begin with small websites or less complex applications.Use basic tools like Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, or Nmap.Think Like a Developer 🧑‍💻Understand how websites and applications work.Look for common mistakes like typos, bad configurations, or insecure practices.Automate Where Possible 🤖Use scanners to save time, but don’t rely on them completely.Tools like Nikto, Arachni, and Nessus are your friends.Keep Learning 📚Follow security blogs, YouTube channels, and forums like HackerOne or Bugcrowd.Practice on platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, or PentesterLab.

Low-hanging bugs might seem minor, but they’re often the starting point for bigger attacks. For example:

Missing security headers ➡️ Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.Open directories ➡️ Data leaks.Default credentials ➡️ Full system compromise.

By fixing these issues, companies can stop attackers before they even begin. 🛑✨

Low-hanging bugs might be simple, but they’re powerful. They provide an excellent starting point for aspiring cybersecurity professionals and a quick way for companies to improve their security. 🌍💼

So, the next time you’re hunting for vulnerabilities, don’t ignore the basics. Sometimes, the easiest bugs can have the biggest impact! 💣✨

Let’s grab those low-hanging fruits and make the internet a safer place! 🍎🌐

If you enjoyed this write-up and found it useful, don’t forget to follow me on LinkedIn! You can reach out to me anytime; just drop me a DM. 😊

Thanks for reading! 🙌 Stay safe, and keep hacking ethically! 💻🔒

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