Top 5 books to learn bug hunting beginner to advance

Table of Contents

Introduction

In this article, you will learn Top 5 books to learn bug hunting beginner to advance. We’ve handpicked the top 5 books that offer a beginner-friendly approach yet delve deep into the complexities of cybersecurity. From understanding the fundamentals to mastering advanced techniques, these books cover it all. Get ready to explore the insights shared by expert authors, gain practical skills, and arm yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital security. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, these books are your roadmap to success in the realm of cybersecurity.

1. Bug Bounty Bootcamp Paperback - by Vickie Li

Overview of book

Fundamentals of Bug Bounty Programs: Understand the significance of bug bounty programs in cybersecurity and the benefits they offer to both organizations and researchers.

Setting Up Your Bug Hunting Environment: Learn how to set up essential tools and environments for bug hunting, ensuring you’re equipped for success from the start.

Identification and Exploitation of Common Web Vulnerabilities: Gain in-depth knowledge of prevalent web vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and learn how to effectively exploit them.

Reconnaissance Techniques: Master the art of reconnaissance and information gathering, using both automated tools and manual methods to gather crucial data about target websites and their infrastructure.

Responsible Vulnerability Reporting: Learn best practices for reporting vulnerabilities to bug bounty programs, including how to write clear and comprehensive vulnerability reports and adhere to ethical disclosure practices.

Advanced Bug Hunting Techniques: Discover advanced techniques for experienced bug hunters, including bypassing security controls, chaining vulnerabilities, and avoiding detection.

Insider Tips and Tricks: Benefit from insider insights and practical tips shared by the author, derived from real-world bug hunting experiences.

Structured Learning Approach: Experience a well-structured learning journey, with each chapter building upon the previous one to facilitate gradual skill development and understanding.

Expert Guidance from a Seasoned Professional: Tap into the expertise of Vickie Li, an experienced cybersecurity professional, and benefit from her authoritative guidance throughout the book.

Real-World Application: Apply the knowledge gained from the book directly to bug hunting endeavors, with practical examples and exercises provided to reinforce learning and skill application.

About the author - Vickie Li

Vickie Li is a developer and security researcher experienced in finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. She has reported vulnerabilities to firms such as Facebook, Yelp and Starbucks and contributes to a number of online training programs and technical blogs.

Reviews
--> Our reviews
  • Clear and concise guide for beginners entering the bug bounty hunting scene.
  • Practical tips and step-by-step instructions make complex concepts easy to understand.
  • Comprehensive coverage of common web vulnerabilities and exploitation techniques.
  • Emphasis on responsible disclosure and ethical bug hunting practices.
  • Includes advanced techniques for experienced bug hunters.
  • Well-structured chapters facilitate learning and skill development.
  • Authoritative resource written by an experienced cybersecurity professional.
  • Highly recommended for anyone interested in cybersecurity and bug bounty hunting.
 
--> Customer reviews
	Mubashir Paray
Mubashir Paray
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I bought this book almost a month ago, necessary for every bug bounty hunter or the one involved in infosec. This is a comprehensive guide for various bug classes. Written in simple English and easy to understand.
Sudarshan P.
Sudarshan P.
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Great book....as expected....nice way of explaining things....highly recommended for newcomers and intermediates......totally worth buying......vl be eagerly waiting for the second edition.....
Ashritha
Ashritha
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Good to read most concepts were covered perfectly
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2. Bug Bounty Hunting Essentials - by Carlos A. Lozano

Overview of book

Comprehensive Guide: A detailed exploration of bug bounty hunting, catering to beginners and experienced hackers alike.

Vulnerability Coverage: Covers a wide range of vulnerabilities, including HTML injection, CRLF injection, and more, providing a comprehensive understanding of potential security threats.

Hands-on Experience: Offers practical exercises with various bug hunting tools, allowing readers to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Real-world Insights: Analysis of the top 300 bug reports provides valuable insights into common vulnerabilities and effective bug hunting methodologies.

Community Engagement: Guidance on leveraging bug hunting communities and resources for continuous learning and networking within the cybersecurity domain.

Accessible Language: Written in clear and accessible language, suitable for readers of all levels of expertise.

Expert Author: Carlos A. Lozano’s expertise shines through, providing authoritative guidance and practical insights derived from years of experience in bug bounty hunting.

Recommendation: Highly recommended for individuals looking to enhance their bug hunting skills and contribute to a safer digital ecosystem.

About the author - Carlos A. Lozano

Leading and performing security controls evaluation through penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, application security assessments, risk analysis, audits and specialized advisory.

Reviews
--> Our reviews
  • Master the fundamentals of Bug Bounty Hunting
  • Gain hands-on experience with a variety of bug hunting tools
  • Learn to craft detailed bug bounty reports for different vulnerabilities
  • Explore concepts such as HTML injection and CRLF injection
  • Get acquainted with bug hunting communities and resources
  • The basics of bug bounty hunting
  • Techniques for hunting bugs in web applications
  • Strategies for hunting bugs in Android applications
  • Analysis of the top 300 bug reports
  • Research methodologies specific to bug bounty hunting
  • How to use different tools for bug hunting
--> Customer reviews

3. The Web Application Hacker's Handbook 2 - by Dafydd Stuttard, Marcus Pinto

Overview of book

Updated Edition: The latest edition of the highly successful security book, completely updated and revised.

Focus on Web Applications: Discusses the importance of web application security and the risks posed by vulnerabilities in these applications.

Exploration of New Technologies: Explores new technologies employed in web applications since the previous edition, providing insight into evolving attack vectors.

Coverage of New Attack Techniques: Reviews new attack techniques developed, particularly focusing on client-side vulnerabilities.

Topics Covered: Includes discussions on new remoting frameworks, HTML5, cross-domain integration techniques, UI redress, framebusting, HTTP parameter pollution, hybrid file attacks, and more.

Companion Website: Features a companion website hosted by the authors, allowing readers to try out attacks described in the book, access answers to chapter questions, and find a summarized methodology and checklist of tasks.

About the author - Dafydd Stuttard, Marcus Pinto

Dafydd Stuttard is an expert in web application security. He has delivered training on this topic at numerous conferences and other venues around the world. Under the alias “PortSwigger”, Dafydd created the popular Burp Suite of tools for security testing of web applications. Marcus Pinto works specifically with web application security, providing consultancy to the financial and e-commerce sectors. He has helped establish the de facto standard for web application assessment within the UK.

Reviews
-- Our reviews

Comprehensive Coverage: Provides a comprehensive resource on discovering, exploiting, and preventing web application security flaws.

Practical Approach: Offers step-by-step techniques for attacking and defending web applications, making it a valuable resource for both offensive and defensive security professionals.

Current and Relevant: Focuses on areas of web application security that have evolved in recent years, ensuring the content remains current and relevant.

Accessible Language: Presents complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner, suitable for readers with varying levels of expertise.

Hands-on Learning: The companion website allows readers to engage in hands-on learning by trying out the attacks described in the book.

Highly Recommended: A must-read for anyone involved in web application security, providing essential knowledge and insights for protecting organizations from cyber threats.

--> Customer reviews
Hari prasad
Hari prasad
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Was reading the pdf version of this book and thought of having a hard copy. Book was delivered in good condition(new).
	Dibyajyoti Sahoo
Dibyajyoti Sahoo
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Content is great . Book is best for detail oriented study. But the printing of screenshots could have been better quality.
Visahl Samson
Visahl Samson
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Actually the book is very nice the issue is about the printing quality. Images are not clear. Otherwise the book is recommended
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4. The Hacker Playbook: Practical Guide to Penetration Testing - by Peter Kim

Overview of book

Engaging Approach: Peter Kim presents penetration testing as a series of plays in a football game, offering a structured way to understand the process.

Pregame Prep: Building Your Foundation:

Kim covers pre-game preparation, focusing on reconnaissance, target identification, and scoping the assessment.

Taking the Snap: Scanning and Probing the Network:

Explores various scanning tools, emphasizing understanding results and interpreting information revealed.

Exploiting the Weakness: Turning Scans into Action:

Emphasizes exploiting identified vulnerabilities and provides practical guidance on moving beyond basic findings.

Beyond the Touchdown: Post-Exploitation and Maintaining Access:

Covers post-exploitation techniques and lateral movement within a compromised system.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Weighing the Playbook:

Football metaphors might feel forced, and some code samples can be outdated, but the book offers valuable insights.

Who Should Read This Playbook?:

Best suited for beginners and intermediate learners with foundational knowledge of networking and security concepts.

Final Verdict: A Solid Playbook for Aspiring Pen Testers:

Offers a practical introduction to penetration testing, with relevant core concepts and methodologies. Recommended for those looking to sharpen their skills in cybersecurity.

About the author

Peter Kim is the CEO/President of Secure Planet, LLC, a global penetration testing company. He has worked in the security field for almost ten years, and has spent the past seven as a penetration tester. His research has been featured on Wired.com, CNN.com, and various other outlets.

Kim has a wide variety of certifications from Sec+, GCIH, GCWN, GWAPT, GXPN, and GMOB. He spent several years teaching penetration testing and network security at Howard Community College in Maryland, and he is the founder of LETHAL, a local security hackerspace in Santa Monica, California.

You can find out more information about LETHAL at www.meetup/LETHAL, or visit Kim’s blog at Secure Planet.

Reviews
--> Our reviews

Content Overview:

Pre-game preparation covers reconnaissance, target identification, and scoping.

Scanning tools exploration with emphasis on result understanding.

Guidance on exploiting vulnerabilities beyond basic findings.

Post-exploitation techniques and maintaining access.

Strengths:

Structured approach with engaging analogy.

Practical guidance for beginners and intermediates.

Weaknesses:Football metaphors may feel forced.Some code samples could be outdated.

Recommendation: Suitable for those with foundational knowledge in networking and security concepts, offering practical insights into penetration testing methodologies.

--> Customer reviews
cris
cris
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Despite the years it is still a book that can be taken as a very basic guide, be careful that it is not a book with practical exercises.
Jogender
Jogender
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the book is very good & practical oriented
Andrej
Andrej
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Good book. Lots of examples and very well written. A recommendation for people who are interested in this topic. Suitable for beginners.
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5. Gray Hat Python: Python Programming for Hackers and Reverse Engineers - by Justin Seitz

Overview of the book

Gray Hat Python” is a comprehensive guide that explores the intersection of Python programming and cybersecurity.

The book is tailored for individuals interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing.

It covers various advanced topics, including network reconnaissance, exploitation, and post-exploitation techniques, all using the Python programming language.

Through practical examples and hands-on exercises, readers learn how to leverage Python’s capabilities to identify vulnerabilities, exploit weaknesses, and secure systems.

The authors provide insights into the mindset and methodologies of hackers and pentesters, equipping readers with essential skills for navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity.

With a focus on practical application and real-world scenarios, “Gray Hat Python” serves as a valuable resource for both novice and experienced cybersecurity professionals seeking to enhance their proficiency in Python programming and ethical hacking techniques.

You’ll Learn -> 

–Automate tedious reversing and security tasks
–Design and program your own debugger
–Learn how to fuzz Windows drivers and create powerful fuzzers from scratch
–Have fun with code and library injection, soft and hard hooking techniques, and other software trickery
–Sniff secure traffic out of an encrypted web browser session
–Use PyDBG, Immunity Debugger, Sulley, IDAPython, PyEMU, and more

About the author

Not Public!

reviews
--> Our reviews

Content Overview:

Provides in-depth coverage of using Python for hacking and penetration testing.

Covers topics such as network scanning, exploiting vulnerabilities, and post-exploitation techniques.

Includes practical examples and code snippets for hands-on learning.

Strengths:

Offers a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in cybersecurity and Python programming.

Written in a clear and accessible manner, making complex concepts understandable.

Emphasizes practical application with real-world examples.

Weaknesses:

Some readers may find certain sections challenging without prior programming knowledge.

Could benefit from more frequent updates to address evolving cybersecurity techniques and tools.

Recommendation: Highly recommended for aspiring ethical hackers and pentesters looking to expand their Python programming skills and delve into the world of cybersecurity. While it may require some foundational knowledge in programming and networking, the book offers valuable insights and practical guidance for those willing to invest the time and effort.

--> Customer reviews
Zer Knittert
Zer Knittert
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Unfortunately, the book has a clear crease in the cover and was probably provided with a glitter sticker that has been removed, the corners are 'gone away'. In terms of content, I can only judge it after the next coffee.
Rajib
Rajib
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Python aficionado...!!! get this book
	Ronald G. Cufley
Ronald G. Cufley
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Full of useful ideas - completely explained but requires full concentration to keep up.
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