Reconnaissance (recon) is the foundation of any successful bug bounty hunt. It involves gathering information about your target to identify potential vulnerabilities. In this article, we’ll cover the step-by-step process to conduct efficient recon and improve your chances of finding bugs.
Step 1 - Understanding Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the process of collecting information about a target system, application, or organization.
Why Reconnaissance Matters
- Identifies attack surfaces.
- Reveals hidden assets like subdomains and APIs.
- Increases efficiency in vulnerability discovery.
Active vs. Passive Reconnaissance
- Passive Recon: Collecting data without interacting directly with the target (e.g., using public records).
- Active Recon: Directly engaging with the target, such as scanning or probing.
Step 2 - Tools and Setup for Recon
Before starting, ensure you have the right tools and environment.
Essential Tools for Recon
- Amass: Subdomain enumeration and asset discovery.
- Sublist3r: Enumerates subdomains using multiple sources.
- Shodan: Finds publicly exposed devices and services.
- WhatWeb: Identifies technologies used by the website.
- Burp Suite: Intercepts and manipulates web traffic.
Setting Up Your Environment
- Use a Linux-based OS like Kali or Parrot for pre-installed tools.
- Create a virtual machine to separate your recon tasks from your main system.
- Install Python and pip for additional tools and scripts.
Step 3 - Subdomain Enumeration
Discovering subdomains helps uncover hidden assets and applications.
Techniques for Subdomain Enumeration
- DNS Brute Forcing: Use wordlists to guess subdomains.
- Tools: Gobuster, Subbrute.
- Third-Party APIs: Query public APIs for subdomain data.
- Tools: Amass, Sublist3r.
- Certificate Transparency Logs: Analyze SSL certificates for subdomains.
- Tools: CRT.sh, Censys.
Automate Subdomain Discovery
Combine tools like Subfinder, Assetfinder, and Amass into a single workflow using automation scripts.
Step 4 - Port Scanning and Service Discovery
Identify open ports and running services on discovered subdomains.
Tools for Port Scanning
- Nmap: For network mapping and port scanning.
- Masscan: For high-speed port scans.
How to Analyze Results
- Check for unusual open ports (e.g., non-standard HTTP/HTTPS ports).
- Look for vulnerable services (e.g., outdated versions of SSH or FTP).
Step 5 - Directory and File Enumeration
Identify hidden directories, files, and endpoints on the server.
Tools for Directory Enumeration
- Dirb: Brute-forces directories using a wordlist.
- Gobuster: A fast directory brute-forcing tool.
- FFUF: Flexible file and directory fuzzing tool.
Key Targets
- Common directories:
/admin,/login,/uploads. - Configuration files:
.env,config.php. - Backup files:
backup.zip,db.sql.
Step 6 - Analyze DNS Records
Extract information from DNS records to uncover more about the target.
Types of DNS Records to Check
- A Records: IP addresses of the domain.
- MX Records: Email servers in use.
- TXT Records: Additional information like SPF or verification keys.
Tools for DNS Analysis
- Dig: Query DNS records manually.
- DNSDumpster: Visualizes DNS data.
Step 7 - API Reconnaissance
APIs are often overlooked but can be a goldmine for vulnerabilities.
How to Discover APIs
- Analyze JavaScript files for endpoints.
- Use tools like Postman for testing APIs.
- Test API security with tools like Burp Suite.
Common API Vulnerabilities
- Excessive Data Exposure: APIs returning unnecessary data.
- Broken Authentication: Weak authentication mechanisms.
Step 8 - Search for Exposed Data
Exposed data can reveal sensitive information about the target.
Tools for Finding Exposed Data
- Github Dorking: Use Google to search for leaked credentials or sensitive files on GitHub.
- Shodan: Find publicly accessible systems and databases.
- Public Buckets: Check AWS S3 or Google Cloud buckets for open permissions.
Step 9 - Analyze Web Applications
Understand the structure and functionality of web applications.
Crawling and Mapping
- Use tools like Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP to crawl the website.
- Manually browse the website to identify input fields, forms, and functionality.
Identify Entry Points
- Search for forms, cookies, and headers.
- Test for input validation and encoding issues.
Step 10 - Automate Your Recon Process
To save time and effort, automate repetitive recon tasks.
Automating with Scripts
- Combine tools like Subfinder, Nmap, and Gobuster into a single workflow using Bash scripts.
- Use automation tools like ReconFTW or LazyRecon.
Conclusion
Reconnaissance is a critical skill in bug bounty hunting. By systematically gathering and analyzing information, you can uncover potential vulnerabilities and improve your chances of success.
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Let’s dive deeper into each point in detail for the ultimate guide to reconnaissance in bug bounty hunting:
H1: Mastering Reconnaissance in Bug Bounty Hunting
Recon is the first and most crucial step in bug bounty hunting. Below, we’ll explore every aspect step by step.
H2: Step 1 - Understanding Reconnaissance
H3: Why Reconnaissance Matters
Recon lays the groundwork for identifying vulnerabilities by mapping the target’s attack surface.
- It helps you discover hidden domains, APIs, and services.
- You can focus your efforts on high-value areas, improving efficiency.
H3: Active vs. Passive Reconnaissance
- Passive Recon: Collecting information without directly interacting with the target.
- Example: Searching for public records, certificates, or Google dorking.
- Active Recon: Directly engaging with the target system.
- Example: Scanning for open ports or vulnerabilities using tools like Nmap.
H2: Step 2 - Tools and Setup for Recon
H3: Essential Tools for Recon
These tools make your recon process smooth and effective:
- Amass: Great for asset discovery and subdomain enumeration.
- Sublist3r: Quickly identifies subdomains from multiple sources.
- Shodan: Searches for publicly accessible servers and devices.
- Burp Suite: Analyzes and manipulates HTTP traffic to find hidden endpoints.
- WhatWeb: Identifies the technologies used by a website (CMS, frameworks).
H3: Setting Up Your Environment
To ensure you’re ready to start:
- Install a Linux-based OS like Kali or Parrot.
- Use a dedicated VM to separate work from personal data.
- Ensure Python and pip are installed for running additional recon scripts.
H2: Step 3 - Subdomain Enumeration
H3: Techniques for Subdomain Enumeration
- DNS Brute Forcing:
- Use tools like Gobuster to brute force subdomains using wordlists.
- Example: Try a list like
common-subdomains.txt.
- Certificate Transparency Logs:
- Check certificates issued for a target domain using CRT.sh or Censys.
- Example: Searching for
*.example.comcould reveal hidden subdomains.
- Third-Party APIs:
- Query APIs from platforms like VirusTotal, SecurityTrails, or Amass.
H3: Automation for Subdomain Discovery
Combine tools for efficiency:
- Example Workflow:
- Run Subfinder to get a list of subdomains.
- Feed results to Amass for further enumeration.
- Verify with tools like HTTPX to check live domains.
H2: Step 4 - Port Scanning and Service Discovery
H3: Tools for Port Scanning
- Nmap: Standard tool for discovering open ports and running services.
- Masscan: High-speed scanner for quickly identifying open ports on large ranges.
H3: How to Analyze Results
- Focus on unusual open ports (e.g., 8080 for HTTP, 8443 for HTTPS).
- Check for outdated or vulnerable services using the results.
- Example: SSH running an older version that allows brute-force attacks.
H2: Step 5 - Directory and File Enumeration
H3: Key Techniques
- Use tools like Dirb, Gobuster, or FFUF to brute-force directories and files.
- Focus on common directories like
/admin,/backup,/api. - Search for sensitive files, such as
.envfiles orconfig.php.