When I first got into bug bounty hunting, I thought I had it all figured out…
Learn XSS, SQLi, file upload bugs, OWASP Top 10 — easy wins, right?

But the real world humbled me.
I’d throw my payload like in the Burp Suite labs…
Instead of a popup, I’d get “Access Denied” from Cloudflare.

That’s when it hit me — if you want real progress, real impact, and real money in bug bounty…
Stop chasing low-hanging fruit. Start hunting smart.

This isn’t a payload dump or step-by-step exploit guide — that’s on you.
This is the list of 10 bug categories you should focus on if you want to consistently find valuable vulnerabilities.

1. Account Takeover (ATO)

It’s rarely a single bug — more often it’s weak flows, sloppy tokens, or flawed logic.
Check:

• Password resets (is the token tied to the session?)
• Email changes (can you bypass password confirmation?)
• Support flows or forgotten endpoints.

If you can control someone’s account, you’ve struck gold.

2. 2FA Bypass

Most hunters skip targets with 2FA — big mistake.
Look at:

• Legacy APIs (do they enforce 2FA at all?)
• “Remember this device” features that skip enforcement.
• Cookie/session inconsistencies.

If 2FA isn’t enforced everywhere, you can walk right in.

3. 403 Bypass

A 403 doesn’t mean “stop” — it means “get creative.”
Try:

• Changing HTTP methods (GET → POST, OPTIONS, TRACE).
• Adding headers (X-Original-URL, X-Forwarded-For).
• Path tricks (double slashes, %2e, %2f).

WAFs and proxies can be confused — that’s your in.

4. API Authentication Flaws

APIs are often inconsistent.
Check:

• Unauthenticated endpoints developers forgot to lock down.
• Token format quirks.
• Differences between mobile, web, and API validation.

5. API Authorization Flaws

Even after login, not all actions are equal.
Look for:

• User ID or role changes in request bodies.
• Predictable UUIDs or hashes.
• Role escalation through overlooked parameters.

6. Privilege Escalation

Low-privilege accounts often have hidden doors.
Tricks:

• See if old permissions still work after a downgrade.
• Ignore the frontend — test GraphQL or raw API calls.
• The backend is the real gatekeeper.

7. Business Logic Bugs

Break how the app expects users to behave.
Examples:

• Skip checkout steps.
• Abuse discounts or loyalty systems.
• Race conditions that allow duplicate actions.

You’re breaking assumptions, not just code.

8. CSRF (Yes, Still Exists)

If SameSite cookies aren’t set properly, you’ve got an opening.
Look for:

• State-changing actions without CSRF protection.
• APIs callable from a malicious page.

Password changes, deletions, or financial actions are prime targets.

9. File Upload Vulnerabilities

A file upload feature is basically an invitation.
Test:

• Extension bypasses (.php.jpg, .svg, .html).
• Path traversal or zip bombs.
• SVG/TXT uploads for stored XSS.

Renaming files doesn’t always make them safe.

10. IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)

Simple concept, huge impact.
Check:

• Users, orders, files — increment or guess IDs.
• Not just GET — try POST, PUT, DELETE.
• Even UUIDs can be brute-forced if predictable.

The Real Hacker Mindset

These bugs aren’t random — they’re patterns most hunters overlook.
The edge comes from:

• Reading reports.
• Studying write-ups.
• Thinking differently.

Every “low severity” finding is a chance to chain, escalate, and turn it into a real payout.

Final Words

That’s it — no fluff, no filler. Just the mindset and targets that matter.

Until next time…
Stay curious, and stay secure. 🔐🔥