🐞 The Ultimate Roadmap to Bug Bounty Hunting: Become a Cybersecurity Researcher

Become a Cybersecurity Researcher
Post by Swarup Mahato (Click here to contact with Swarup Mahato)

In the digital age, cybersecurity threats are rising rapidly, and organizations are investing heavily in defense. One of the most effective proactive defense mechanisms is bug bounty programs, where ethical hackers (or bug bounty hunters) are rewarded for finding and responsibly disclosing vulnerabilities. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or an aspiring cybersecurity expert, this guide provides a complete roadmap to become a successful bug bounty hunter and security researcher.

🔰 What is Bug Bounty Hunting?

A bug bounty is a program that rewards individuals for identifying and reporting security vulnerabilities in software, websites, mobile applications, or network infrastructure. These programs are run by companies through platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd, or independently on their websites.

Bug bounty hunting not only offers a potential source of income but also helps sharpen practical cybersecurity skills. You contribute to a safer internet while building your career and credibility in the infosec community.

📍 Roadmap to Becoming a Bug Bounty Hunter

Phase 1: Building the Foundation

Before diving into hacking real-world applications, you must understand how systems work.

1. Master Networking and Web Basics

  • Learn the OSI model, TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, and ports.

  • Study how web applications are structured — understand front-end and back-end communication.

  • Explore how browsers send requests and receive data (GET, POST, cookies, headers).

2. Programming & Scripting

While you don’t need to be a developer, basic programming helps you understand vulnerabilities better:

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript: For frontend analysis and XSS testing.

  • PHP, Python, Node.js: For understanding server-side logic.

  • Bash: For automating tasks on Linux.

3. Linux and Terminal Mastery

Most bug bounty hunters use Kali Linux or Parrot OS. Learn to:

  • Navigate the Linux terminal

  • Use grep, curl, awk, chmod, wget

  • Script basic automation tools

Phase 2: Understanding Vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)

The OWASP Top 10 is a standard awareness document that highlights the most critical web vulnerabilities:

  1. Injection (e.g., SQLi, Command Injection)

  2. Broken Authentication

  3. Sensitive Data Exposure

  4. XML External Entities (XXE)

  5. Broken Access Control

  6. Security Misconfigurations

  7. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

  8. Insecure Deserialization

  9. Components with Known Vulnerabilities

  10. Insufficient Logging and Monitoring

Understand each of these vulnerabilities, how they occur, and how to detect and exploit them in controlled environments.

Phase 3: Practical Skills and Hands-On Labs

✅ Tools You Must Learn

  • Burp Suite – The #1 web security testing tool

  • OWASP ZAP – Open-source alternative to Burp

  • Nmap – Network scanner

  • Dirsearch/Gobuster – Directory brute-forcing

  • Amass/Subfinder – Subdomain enumeration

  • Nikto/Wpscan – Server and CMS vulnerability scanners

🎓 Practice Platforms

These platforms offer guided labs from beginner to expert level and let you legally exploit vulnerabilities in a sandbox environment.

Phase 4: Reconnaissance & Exploitation

Recon (reconnaissance) is the art of collecting information about the target:

🔎 Recon Techniques

  • Subdomain Enumeration: amass, assetfinder, sublist3r

  • Google Dorks: site:example.com inurl:admin

  • Wayback Machine Analysis: Using waybackurls, gau

  • Shodan/Censys: Publicly exposed assets

  • GitHub Recon: Search for API keys or secrets in commits

🧪 Testing Techniques

  • Parameter fuzzing with Burp Intruder

  • Testing for IDOR by changing object IDs

  • Manipulating cookies or JWTs

  • Testing file upload functionalities

  • Checking CORS misconfigurations

🗂️ Website Pentesting Checklist (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a simplified step-by-step bug bounty checklist to follow when testing websites:

1. Passive Recon

  • Collect target URLs, subdomains, parameters

  • Identify CMS/Tech stack (Wappalyzer, BuiltWith)

2. Active Recon

  • Scan directories (dirsearch)

  • Discover endpoints with gau, hakrawler

  • Brute-force admin panels or login routes

3. OWASP Testing

  • Look for Injection Points (SQLi, XSS, Command)

  • Test broken auth/session handling

  • Check access controls (try escalating privileges)

  • Inspect headers and SSL configurations

4. API Testing

  • Analyze API endpoints via Swagger, Postman

  • Test for auth bypass, rate limiting, token misconfig

5. File Upload and Logic Flaws

  • Attempt to upload dangerous files

  • Bypass file filters using extensions like .php.jpg

  • Check for flawed business logic

6. Report Writing

A high-quality report includes:

  • Bug title and severity

  • Steps to reproduce

  • Impact and risk analysis

  • Screenshots or videos

  • Remediation advice

💰 Top Bug Bounty Platforms (Join & Earn)

Platform Description
HackerOne Hosts Uber, Twitter, and more
Bugcrowd Crowd-sourced security for public/private programs
Intigriti European-based, clean UI, beginner-friendly
Synack High reward, invite-only, real-time targets
YesWeHack Global alternative, growing fast
OpenBugBounty Easy to join, good for practice
Zerocopter EU-based, invite-only
Detectify Crowdsource Passive bounty, module-based

 

👨‍💻 Final Advice for Beginners

  • Always read the program scope before testing.

  • Keep your testing legal and ethical. Never go out of scope.

  • Build a reputation by submitting high-quality reports.

  • Join the infosec community on Twitter, Reddit, and Discord.

  • Stay updated through blogs, CVE feeds, and conferences like DEFCON or Black Hat.

📌 Conclusion

Bug bounty hunting is more than just a side hustle — it’s a way to learn, grow, and contribute to the safety of the internet. With dedication, discipline, and consistent practice, anyone can become a successful cybersecurity researcher and ethical hacker.

Whether you're just starting or refining your skills, follow this roadmap, join the platforms listed, and begin hunting ethically and responsibly.

*******************************************************************************************🧭 Bug Bounty Hunter & Cybersecurity Researcher Roadmap

Phase 1: Fundamentals (Beginner)

1. Learn Networking Basics

  • OSI Model, TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS

  • Tools: Wireshark, TCPDump

2. Understand Web Technologies

  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  • PHP/Node.js basics

  • Web architecture (frontend/backend)

3. Linux & Terminal Commands

  • File navigation, permissions

  • Bash scripting

  • Tools: grep, awk, sed, curl, wget

4. Learn Cybersecurity Basics

  • CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)

  • OWASP Top 10 (A must!)

  • Basic Cryptography

Phase 2: Practical Hacking Skills (Intermediate)

1. Web Vulnerabilities

  • XSS (Reflected, Stored, DOM)

  • SQL Injection

  • CSRF, SSRF, IDOR

  • Open Redirects

  • Authentication/Authorization Flaws

2. Learn Burp Suite

  • Intercepting traffic

  • Repeater, Intruder, Scanner, Extender

3. Explore Vulnerable Labs

  • PortSwigger Labs

  • HackTheBox

  • TryHackMe

  • WebGoat, DVWA, Juice Shop

4. Learn Recon Techniques

  • Subdomain Enumeration: amass, subfinder

  • Directory Brute-force: dirsearch, gobuster

  • IP and ASN scans: nmap, masscan

  • Third-party data: crt.sh, Shodan, Censys

Phase 3: Advanced Skills & Reporting (Pro Level)

1. Manual Testing Skills

  • Bypass WAFs

  • Logic-based vulnerabilities

  • Chain bugs for higher impact

2. Mobile & API Testing

  • API testing tools: Postman, Insomnia

  • Mobile tools: MobSF, Frida, JADX

3. Report Writing

  • Clear, detailed POCs

  • Screenshots and video proof

  • Remediation suggestions

4. Legal & Ethical Hacking

  • Read scope and terms carefully

  • Never test outside allowed scope

🪪 Top Bug Bounty Platforms

Platform Description
HackerOne One of the biggest platforms with well-known companies.
Bugcrowd Offers public and private bounty programs.
Synack Private, pays well, but requires application and vetting.
Intigriti EU-based, great for beginners too.
YesWeHack European alternative, fast-growing.
OpenBugBounty Simple and open, great for starting out.
Zerocopter For experienced hackers, by invite.
Detectify Crowdsource Invite-only, high reward for module creators.

 

✅ Website Pentesting Checklist (Step-by-Step)

🔍 Reconnaissance

  • Subdomain enumeration (amass, subfinder)

  • IP address & ASN lookup

  • Technology stack (wappalyzer, builtwith)

  • Archive analysis (waybackurls, gau)

  • Google Dorking

🔒 Access Control Testing

  • Check for IDOR

  • Privilege escalation

  • Broken authentication (try bypasses, brute-force)

  • Session management (tokens, expiration)

🐞 OWASP Top 10 Testing

  • A1: Injection (SQLi, Command Injection)

  • A2: Broken Auth

  • A3: Sensitive Data Exposure

  • A4: XML External Entities (XXE)

  • A5: Broken Access Control

  • A6: Security Misconfigurations

  • A7: XSS

  • A8: Insecure Deserialization

  • A9: Components with Known Vulnerabilities

  • A10: Insufficient Logging & Monitoring

📦 File & Upload Handling

  • Test for unrestricted file upload

  • Try bypassing file extension filters

🔐 SSL & Security Headers

  • Use ssllabs.com and securityheaders.com

🔧 Server & CMS Vulnerabilities

  • Use wpscan, joomscan, etc.

  • Test admin panels, login paths

🧪 Automation Tools

  • Burp Suite (manual + scanner)

  • OWASP ZAP

  • Nuclei for scanning vulnerabilities

📝 Reporting

  • Include:

    • Summary

    • Steps to reproduce

    • Impact analysis

    • Remediation suggestions

    • POC video/screenshots

.

 

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