This document outlines a structured approach to gathering information about a target organization and its assets during the reconnaissance phase of a bug bounty program. By following these steps, ethical hackers can effectively identify potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors, ensuring a thorough understanding of the target before proceeding with testing. The document covers target selection, asset discovery, vulnerability research, information gathering, documentation, and important considerations to keep in mind throughout the process.

Target Selection

Choose a program: Select a bug bounty program that aligns with your interests and skillset. Consider factors like the scope, payout structure, and the organization's security posture.

Research the target: Gather basic information about the target organization, such as its industry, size, technology stack, and recent security news.

Asset Discovery

Passive DNS: Use passive DNS tools to identify subdomains, historical domain records, and potential takeover targets.

Shodan/Censys: Utilize search engines like Shodan and Censys to discover exposed services, devices, and software versions.

BuiltWith: Identify technologies used on the target's website, such as CMS, frameworks, and plugins.

GitHub/GitLab: Search for public repositories containing sensitive information or code related to the target.

Wayback Machine: Analyze archived versions of the target's website to identify changes, removed content, and potential vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Research

Check exploit databases: Review exploit databases like Exploit-DB, CVE Details, and NVD for known vulnerabilities affecting technologies used by the target.

Search for known issues: Look for known issues and vulnerabilities specific to the target's CMS, frameworks, and software.

Identify attack surfaces: Analyze the target's infrastructure and applications to identify potential attack vectors, such as misconfigurations, outdated software, and exposed APIs.

Information Gathering

Social media: Analyze social media profiles and posts for clues about the target's technology stack, employees, and internal systems.

Company blogs and news articles: Read company blogs and news articles for information about new products, services, and security initiatives.

WHOIS records: Gather information about the target's domain registrations, including registrant contact information and creation date.

Documentation

Maintain detailed notes: Document all findings and research during the reconnaissance phase. This will help you track your progress and prioritize targets.

Create a mind map: Visualize the information gathered during reconnaissance to identify relationships and potential attack paths.

Important Considerations

• Respect the target's privacy policy: Avoid collecting personal information or violating the target's terms of service.
• Stay informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest security trends, vulnerabilities, and tools.
• Practice ethical hacking: Always adhere to the rules and regulations of the bug bounty program and applicable laws.

By following these steps and considerations, ethical hackers can enhance their reconnaissance efforts, leading to more effective and responsible bug bounty hunting.