In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity is more critical than ever, and bug bounty hunting has emerged as an exciting opportunity for security enthusiasts and professionals alike. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the essentials of bug bounty hunting, providing you with the foundational knowledge and practical tips to embark on your journey.

During a penetration test, I uncovered an exposed OpenAI API in JS file key that allowed unauthorized control of an AI assistant in a live production environment. I demonstrated how attackers could manipulate the assistant's instructions, raising awareness of AI-related vulnerabilities. This discovery emphasized the critical need for stronger API security when integrating AI technologies into business operations.

While performing a security assessment for an eCommerce client, I uncovered a vulnerability that could have allowed malicious actors to manipulate loyalty points and redeem them for free products, cash, or massive discounts. By exploiting the 3rd party rewards system, it was possible to inflate points across 100k+ loyalty programs across the internet. I reported the vulnerability to the client and the 3rd party helped them patch the issue before any exploitation occurred.

During a bug bounty project, I discovered leaked AWS credentials embedded in the API of an Android application for an online casino. This vulnerability had the potential to grant full access to their AWS infrastructure, putting sensitive data and operations at risk. After reporting the issue, I worked closely with the company to remediate the vulnerability and improve their security posture.