🎯 Bug Bounty Learning Path

From Zero to First Bounty

Master web security, API vulnerabilities, and modern hacking techniques with this structured roadmap.

6Phases
7-10Months
20+Labs & Tools
∞Possibilities
⚡ Learn · Practice · Hunt · Repeat
Foundations Modern Web API Security Tools Recon Real World Labs Mistakes Summary Beginner Roadmap

⚠️ Warning

This path alone is not enough to become a professional Bug Bounty Hunter.
It's just a roadmap — success requires:

📚 Phase 1: Foundations

🎯 Understand how web apps work ⏱️ 1–2 months
DVWALearn XSS, SQLi, LFI, CSRF
MutillidaePractice OWASP Top 10
HTTP/HTTPSProtocol, headers, cookies, sessions
JavaScriptFundamentals & modern web apps
Linux BasicsCommand line, file management, permissions
HTML/CSSStructure and design of web pages

📖 What to Read

  • Web Application Hacker's Handbook
  • Real World Bug Hunting
  • OWASP Top 10 (latest edition)

🚀 Phase 2: Modern Web

🎯 Handle modern web apps ⏱️ 1–2 months
OWASP Juice ShopJWT, GraphQL, NoSQL, modern vulns
WebGoatComprehensive OWASP training
PortSwigger AcademyInteractive labs for most vulnerabilities🔗 portswigger.net/web-security/all-labs
API Security BasicsREST APIs & GraphQL fundamentals

🧠 Key Topics

  • Broken Authentication & Session Management
  • Sensitive Data Exposure
  • XML External Entities (XXE)
  • Security Misconfigurations

🔌 Phase 3: API Security

🎯 Master API security — critical in today's bounty programs ⏱️ 1–2 months
VAmPIIDOR, BOLA, Mass Assignment
crAPIOWASP API Top 10 training
PostmanAPI testing tool
GraphQL IntrospectionExploit GraphQL endpoints

📌 Focus Areas

  • Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA)
  • Broken Function Level Authorization (BFLA)
  • Mass Assignment
  • Excessive Data Exposure

🛠️ Phase 4: Tools & Practice

🎯 Master essential tools ⏱️ 2–3 months
Burp SuiteIntercept and modify requests
NmapNetwork scanning and service discovery
Subfinder / AmassSubdomain discovery
httpx / nucleiFast vulnerability scanning
TryHackMeGuided labs for learning tools
Hack The BoxRealistic challenges

🔧 Additional Tools

  • Shodan / Censys — Internet-wide device search
  • FFUF / Wfuzz — Web fuzzing
  • SQLMap — Automated SQL injection
  • Nikto — Web server scanner

🔍 Phase 5: Reconnaissance

🎯 Recon is 70% of success ⏱️ 1–2 months
Passive ReconSubfinder, Amass, Certificate Transparency
Active ReconNmap, HTTP probing, directory enumeration
Wayback MachineHistorical URLs and endpoints
GitHub DorkingFind secrets in public repos

🧠 Recon Mindset

  • Map the attack surface before testing
  • Find hidden endpoints and subdomains
  • Identify technologies and versions
  • Prioritize high-value targets

🧠 Phase 6: Real World

🎯 Transition to real-world application ⏱️ Ongoing
Read Bug Bounty ReportsAnalyze reports from professionals
Practice on Private ProgramsJoin VDP programs
Join HackerOne / BugcrowdStart with open programs
Write Professional ReportsLearn to write convincing reports
Be Patient & PersistentFirst bounty may take months

📝 Report Structure

  • Title: Concise and impactful
  • Description: Detailed vulnerability info
  • Steps to Reproduce: Clear instructions
  • Proof of Concept: Screenshots or videos
  • Impact: Real-world consequences

📦 Labs Download

DVWA~210 MB
git clone https://github.com/digininja/DVWA.git docker pull vulnerables/web-dvwa
OWASP Juice Shop~240 MB
git clone https://github.com/juice-shop/juice-shop.git docker pull bkimminich/juice-shop
OWASP Mutillidae II~4.2 MB
git clone https://github.com/webpwnized/mutillidae.git
WebGoat~100 MB
git clone https://github.com/WebGoat/WebGoat.git docker pull webgoat/goatandwolf
VAmPI~66 KB
git clone https://github.com/erev0s/vampi.git
crAPI~8.8 MB
git clone https://github.com/OWASP/crAPI.git

🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Rushing into bounty programsMaster the fundamentals first
Ignoring reconnaissanceRecon = 70% of success
Over-relying on toolsUnderstand what the tools do
Writing unclear reportsGood report = Better payout
Giving up after rejectionRejection is part of the journey

📋 Summary

PhaseFocusTime
1Foundations1–2 months
2Modern Web1–2 months
3API Security1–2 months
4Tools & Practice2–3 months
5Reconnaissance1–2 months
6Real WorldOngoing
Total7–10 months

7–10 months of consistent practice to reach your first bounty.

Beginners Roadmap to Bug Bounty Hunting

Greetings! I'm Lalatendu Swain, a Security Engineer and part-time content creator. I've initiated this repository to provide guidance to aspiring bug bounty hunters. Content will be continually added, so stay tuned and let's embark on this journey together!

Please Note: Bug bounty landscapes have evolved significantly in recent years. The vulnerabilities that were once easily discovered may now pose greater challenges due to increased automation and competition. To succeed in bug bounty hunting, persistence and focus are key.

📖 Learning Resources

📚 Books

📝 Writeups

💬 Forums

🌐 Official Websites

🐦 Twitter

  • Connect with top security researchers and bug bounty hunters on Twitter. Stay updated on new issues, vulnerabilities, and methodologies shared by experts!

🎯 Practice Platforms

🌐 Bug Bounty Platforms

CrowdsourcingBugcrowd · HackerOne
Individual ProgramsMeta · Google

💡 Additional Tips

Start Part-TimeMaintain multiple income streams for stability
Stay UpdatedFollow relevant resources and engage with the community
Skill FocusView bug bounty as a means to enhance skills, not just for money
Unique MethodologiesAvoid over-reliance on automation tools
Consider ContextAssess severity and context of a vulnerability when reporting
NetworkConnect with peers and share knowledge within the community
⭐ Practice consistently · Stay ethical · Happy Hacking!