Breaking Free from Duplicate Submissions: A Strategic Approach to Bug Bounty Success
Want more insights into bug bounty hunting? Check out my YouTube channel for weekly tips and detailed tutorials on finding unique vulnerabilities.
The Challenge Every Hunter Faces
If you're reading this, chances are you've been reporting one too many duplicates and you're trying to get over that hump to get your submissions triaged. Every day, my inbox fills with messages from hunters facing this exact challenge. The frustration is real, but the good news is that with the right approach, you can transform your bug hunting strategy and start landing valid submissions.
Why Most Hunters Get Stuck
When hunters approach me about finding duplicates, my first question is always "what kind of vulnerabilities do you typically look for?" The answers are usually predictable: "rate limiting issues like OTP bypasses" or "business logic flaws." While these vulnerability types are absolutely valid targets, there's an inherent problem with this approach that most hunters don't realize.
When hundreds or thousands of hunters use identical tools and methodologies, they're all discovering the same issues. It's like everyone following the same treasure map - the obvious spots will be picked clean. Think about it - when hundreds of hunters use the same tools and target the same types of vulnerabilities on public programs, these issues are usually reported within hours, if not minutes, of being introduced. It's like trying to find an undiscovered restaurant in a tourist hotspot - all the obvious spots have already been reviewed thousands of times.
The Program Selection Problem
Here's where most hunters set themselves up for failure right from the start: program selection. When I ask why they chose a particular program, most can't give me a real answer. But here's what successful hunters do differently - they understand that knowing a product inside and out is crucial to finding unique bugs.
The most consistent hunters I know focus on programs where they're already power users. Think about it - if you use a platform every day, you understand all its features, quirks, and intended behaviors. That knowledge becomes your advantage. If you're interested in a program you don't currently use, that's fine, but you need to commit to becoming an expert. For example, if you're going to hack on Airbnb, you should understand everything about being a host - how listing management works, what automation features are available, how payments flow, every single setting and option in a host's dashboard. This deep knowledge isn't just helpful; it's essential for finding bugs that others miss.
What Actually Works: Becoming a Vulnerability Expert
Let's take Cross-Site Scripting as an example. XSS isn't just about injecting script tags. When you truly understand everything that goes into hunting for XSS, you start understanding input validation patterns. You learn why having Chrome's developer tools open at all times for tracking your input is important. You begin to recognize DOM-based XSS opportunities and understand how PostMessage vulnerabilities work. Each discovery leads you deeper into the technical rabbit hole.
The same principle applies to hunting for Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR). You start with basic integer-based IDORs, but then you progress to understanding UUID patterns and learning how to manipulate headers and cookies effectively. You begin testing deeper functionality within different organizational structures, which often leads you to discover vulnerable backend APIs. What started as simple adding or subtracting numbers to hunt for IDOR becomes a comprehensive understanding of application architecture.
Your Path to Success
The path forward isn't about finding quick wins - it's about building expertise that sets you apart. Bug hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. Start by choosing one vulnerability type that interests you and learn every possible variation and technique. Understand the underlying technical concepts that make these vulnerabilities possible.
Don't just practice on intentionally vulnerable applications by copy-pasting payloads - understand why they're vulnerable, and why specific payloads work. Study write-ups focusing on your chosen vulnerability type, but don't just read them - try to replicate the findings in your lab environment or other programs. When you select programs to hack on, choose ones where your specific expertise will be valuable. This focused approach might seem slower at first, but it's the difference between shooting in the dark and having a clear target.
While developing your unique expertise play a huge role, the most successful hackers don't operate in complete isolation. The hacker community can be an invaluable resource when approached thoughtfully. Join Discord servers where hackeres discuss techniques, but be selective - look for communities focused on learning rather than just sharing quick wins. Consider finding a mentor or becoming one yourself, as teaching others often deepens your own understanding.
However, be strategic about collaboration. While working in teams can help tackle larger targets, make sure you're not just following others' methodologies. Use community insights to inform your approach, but maintain your own unique testing strategy.
Breaking Free from the Duplicate Cycle
The bug bounty hunters who consistently succeed aren't the ones running the same tools as everyone else. They're the ones who develop deep technical knowledge in specific areas. They're the ones who can find vulnerabilities that automated tools miss because they understand the underlying technology at a fundamental level. They know their target products so well that they can spot when something isn't working quite right.
If you're currently struggling with duplicates, it's time to make that change. Choose a specific vulnerability type to master and a product you're passionate about learning inside and out. The journey might be longer than following the latest automated testing trend, but the rewards - both in knowledge and bounties - are worth the investment.
Remember, success in bug bounty hunting isn't about running more tools or testing more programs than everyone else. It's about developing deep technical knowledge in specific areas and truly understanding the products you're testing. When you combine deep product knowledge with technical expertise, you'll start finding the kinds of vulnerabilities that others miss entirely.
Whether you're just starting your bug bounty journey or looking to level up your skills, remember that success comes from dedication to continuous learning and specialization. The path might be longer than following the latest automated testing trend, but the rewards—both in knowledge and bounties—are worth the investment.
P.S.: I want to mention that I've created a comprehensive bug bounty course designed to help hunters at all levels develop the deep technical expertise needed for consistent success. With hands-on labs and detailed technical insights, this course will help you build the fundamental knowledge required to find unique vulnerabilities. Explore the course here →
