The practical Bug Bounty course introduces its audience first into Authentication and Authorization attacks, in this section of my gitbook you will be able to find my notes and takeaways on those.
Authentication and authorization attacks are prime targets for bug bounty hunters due to their high impact and prevalence in modern applications. Authentication attacks exploit weaknesses in how systems verify user identities, such as default credentials, lack of brute-force protection, or logic flaws that allow attackers to bypass login screens entirely. Authorization attacks, on the other hand, occur when applications fail to properly restrict user actions—allowing attackers to access or manipulate resources beyond their intended permissions, often through poorly protected API endpoints.
Bug bounty programs frequently reward discoveries of these vulnerabilities, as they can lead to severe outcomes like account takeovers, data leaks, or privilege escalation. Successful reports often involve creative exploitation of overlooked access controls, such as abusing alternate API channels or misconfigured bearer tokens. For bounty hunters, thorough testing of authentication and authorization flows is essential, as these bugs can yield significant rewards and help organizations patch critical security gaps.