When people think of bug bounty hunting, they often imagine complex exploits and vulnerabilities that take hours or even days to uncover. But did you know that some of the most valuable bugs are also the easiest to find?

Why Bugs Matter

For beginners entering the world of cybersecurity, bugs can be the perfect starting point. These seemingly small vulnerabilities, often called low-hanging fruit, are critical for a few reasons:

• They Build Confidence: Finding your first bug is a huge milestone, no matter how small it is.
• They Teach Methodology: Discovering low-hanging fruit helps you learn the basics of how to approach a target systematically.
• They Can Lead to Bigger Discoveries: Small vulnerabilities can often pave the way for finding more severe issues, leading to bigger rewards and higher payouts.

Common Low-Hanging Fruit to Look For

When starting out, look for these common types of low-hanging fruit vulnerabilities:

1. Open Redirects
   These occur when user-controlled inputs redirect a website’s URL, which can be used in phishing attacks.
2. HTML Injections
   While not as dangerous as XSS, HTML Injections can alter a webpage’s structure, leading to misleading content.
3. Basic XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
   Even basic XSS can have serious consequences, making it one of the most reported and overlooked bugs.

The True Value of Low-Hanging Fruit

Sure, the payout for these bugs might be small, but the experience and learning you gain are priceless. Each vulnerability found helps improve your skill set and understanding of how systems work.

Tips for Finding Your First Bug

• Start with Smaller Targets: Look for smaller programs that may have less competition.
• Focus on Input Fields: Many low-hanging fruit bugs are found in input fields that aren’t properly sanitized.
• Don’t Get Discouraged: Every bug counts! Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be uncovering more valuable vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Bug bounty hunting isn’t just about the money—it’s about the journey of learning and making the internet a safer place. So, embrace those bugs and keep hunting. The next big find might be just a small vulnerability away!