A hacking roadmap for bug bounty hunting

you want to learn advanced hacking for bug bounty hunting, but YouTube is giving only surface-level tutorials. This is common because deep hacking techniques often involve sensitive topics that platforms restrict. But don’t worry—there’s a structured way to learn ethical hacking deeply and progress toward bug bounties.

1. Understand the Foundations

Before you get into advanced exploitation, you need strong fundamentals:

✅ Networking Basics

  • Learn TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, routing, firewalls.
  • Know how data flows between clients & servers.
  • Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump

✅ Linux & Command Line

  • Most hacking tools run on Linux (Kali, Parrot OS).
  • Practice bash scripting, permissions, cron jobs.

✅ Programming

  • Python → for automation & writing exploits.
  • JavaScript → for XSS & web hacking.
  • HTML, CSS, PHP → understand web vulnerabilities.

2. Learn How Web Applications Work

Most bug bounties target web apps.

  • Learn request/response cycles
  • Study cookies, sessions, authentication, APIs
  • Understand SQL, NoSQL, REST APIs, JWT

Good free resource: PortSwigger Web Security Academy (hands-on labs for web hacking)

3. Understand Vulnerabilities

You must know OWASP Top 10 like:

  • SQL Injection (SQLi)
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Broken Authentication
  • CSRF
  • SSRF
  • IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)

4. Hands-on Practice in Safe Environments

You won’t find “deep hacks” on YouTube, but you can practice legally:

  • DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web App) – practice basic to advanced attacks
  • bWAPP, WebGoat – intentionally vulnerable apps
  • Hack The Box (HTB) – real-world hacking labs
  • TryHackMe – guided learning for beginners to advanced
  • PentesterLab – advanced web & API exploitation

5. Move to Advanced Topics

Once you’re comfortable with basic vulnerabilities, go deeper into:

  • Privilege escalation (Linux/Windows)
  • File upload bypass techniques
  • RCE (Remote Code Execution)
  • Deserialization attacks
  • API hacking
  • Cloud security (AWS, GCP)

6. Learn from Real Bug Hunters

  • Read public write-ups on HackerOne, Bugcrowd reports
  • Follow bug hunters like NahamSec, STÖK, LiveOverflow
  • Join Twitter/Discord communities for bug bounty

7. Participate in Real Bug Bounty Programs

Start with easier targets:

  • HackerOne Hacktivity
  • Bugcrowd

Even small vulnerabilities (like XSS, misconfigurations) can get you started.

My Recommended Roadmap

  1. Learn Networking + Linux + Basic Programming (1–2 months)
  2. Study Web Application Security + OWASP Top 10 (2–3 months)
  3. Practice on TryHackMe + HackTheBox (ongoing)
  4. Learn Advanced Exploitation Techniques (privilege escalation, APIs)
  5. Start Bug Bounty on small programs

Thank You!