14 Recon Phases for Mastering Bug Bounty Hunting

Bug bounty hunting is a process of identifying and reporting vulnerabilities in a company’s online assets. It is a lucrative field for security researchers and hackers, as companies are willing to pay large sums of money for the discovery of critical vulnerabilities. However, becoming a successful bug bounty hunter requires a combination of technical skills and a thorough understanding of the reconnaissance phases. In this article, we will discuss 14 essential recon phases that every bug bounty hunter should master.

1. Resolve DNS Names Using Dig
   The first step in any bug bounty hunting process is to identify the target’s domain names. One of the best tools for resolving DNS names is Dig. It can be used to extract information such as DNS server IP addresses, MX records, and NS records.
2. Resolve DNS Websites
   Once the target’s domain names have been identified, the next step is to resolve the IP addresses of the websites associated with the domains. This can be done using tools such as nslookup, host, and whois.
3. IP to Location
   The next step is to determine the location of the target’s servers. This can be done using tools such as IP to Location, which can be used to identify the physical location of an IP address.
4. Nmap Don’t Ping Scan
   Nmap is a powerful tool for identifying open ports and services on a target’s servers. However, it is important to note that Nmap’s default scan option is a ping scan, which can be blocked by firewalls. Therefore, it is recommended to use the -Pn option, which skips the ping scan.
5. Nmap Service Version Detection
   Once the open ports and services have been identified, the next step is to determine the version of the software running on the target’s servers. This can be done using Nmap’s -sV option, which performs service version detection.
6. Enumerated Supported HTTP Methods Using Nmap
   It is also important to identify the supported HTTP methods on a target’s servers. This can be done using Nmap’s -p option, which allows you to specify a specific port to scan.
7. Checking SSL and TLS Version Using Nmap
   The security of a target’s servers can also be determined by checking the version of SSL and TLS that is being used. This can be done using Nmap’s -sV option, which performs service version detection.
8. Host Header Injection
   Host header injection is a technique used to bypass security controls by injecting a malicious host header into a request. This can be done using tools such as Burp Suite and OWASP ZAP.
9. Waybackurls
   Waybackurls is a tool that can be used to identify historical versions of a website. This can be useful for identifying vulnerabilities that have been fixed in the past but are still present in older versions of a website.
10. Whatweb
    Whatweb is a tool that can be used to identify the software and technologies used on a website. This can be useful for identifying vulnerabilities that are specific to a particular software or technology.
11. Find Hidden Web Directories with Dir search
    Many websites have hidden directories that can contain sensitive information. Dir search is a tool that can be used to identify these hidden directories.
12. Google Dork
    osint concept in cybersecurity. It describes techniques, risks, or controls that defenders and ethical hackers must understand to protect systems and conduct authorized security testing. Learning Google Dorking helps you recognize attacks in the wild and apply industry-standard mitigations aligned with frameworks like OWASP and NIST.">Google Dorking is a technique used to search Google for specific types of information, such as login pages or files containing sensitive information.
13. Github Dork
    Github Dorking is similar to Google Dorking, but it is used to search Github for specific types of information.
14. Shodan Dork
    Shodan is a search engine for internet-connected devices. It can be used to identify vulnerabilities in IoT devices, servers, and other types of connected devices. Shodan Dorking is the process of using specific search queries to find specific types of devices or vulnerabilities. This can be useful for identifying vulnerabilities in devices that are not typically accessed through a web interface, such as routers and cameras.

Mastering these 14 recon phases is essential for any bug bounty hunter. By understanding how to identify and resolve DNS names, locate servers, identify open ports and services, and search for vulnerabilities, you can greatly increase your chances of identifying and reporting critical vulnerabilities. Additionally, tools such as Nmap, Waybackurls, and Shodan can be powerful tools for identifying vulnerabilities and sensitive information. Remember that bug bounty hunting is not a one-time process, it’s a continuous one, so keep learning and updating your techniques. Happy hunting!

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