Bypass 404 Errors for Bug Bounty Success: Methods and Tools

In the world of bug bounty programs, hunting for such things as information disclosure bugs can be highly impactful. Yet one of the best approaches to detect such weaknesses is to undermine 404 errors and gaining access to files which have not been indexed for some time. As we proceed with this guide, we will learn how to go about it while considering ethical hacking and seeking legal consent to look for these information disclosure bugs.

Understanding the Importance of Information Disclosure Bugs

Information disclosure risk is where users including those unauthorized gain access to specific information, they are not supposed to. Due to the criticality these bugs are categorized as P1 on bug bounty programs because of their exposure factor. Examples include, customer information, financial records or any other company information which was confidential. That is why several techniques exist for such cracks, one of which is the use of cached copies of files that return a 404 error.

This guide is meant to show how to use the Wayback Machine, VirusTotal, and AlienVault in order to circumvent 404 screens and recover curtailed files so that you can flag high-profile breaches.

Bypass 404 Errors Step by Step

The Web Archive Method: Retrieving Passive URLs

The Wayback Machine is the best place to go, for it contains archived web page captures that can be viewed. With this platform, one can obtain all tables of passive URLs for any given domain. Follow these steps:

1. Access the Wayback Machine: Open the website with the following web address: web.archive.org.
2. Search for the Target Domain: Type the target domain you want to search into the search bar and hit enter.
3. Retrieve Passive URLs: Using the Wayback Machine, URLs of archived websites will be shown, including its subdomains.
4. Search for Specific File Types: Manually search for such file extension as .pdf, .csv, .db, .zip and other executable file extension that may contain sensitive and exploitable information.

Automating the Process with a Curl Command

Automate the process by using the following curl command in your terminal:

curl -s "https://web.archive.org/cdx/search/cdx?url=TARGET_DOMAIN/*&output=json&fl=original" | jq -r '.[].original' > output.txt

Replace TARGET_DOMAIN – to define a desired domain.

This command helps to get all passive URLs and write them into output.txt.

Searching for Sensitive Files

Once you have the list of URLs, search for file names containing sensitive extensions using this grep command:

cat output.txt | grep “.zip”

This command avails and lists URLs that have the given extension in them, so that you may find potentially vulnerable files.

Bypass 404 Errors with the Wayback Machine

Many URLs may return a 404 error when accessed directly. Instead of stopping there, use the Wayback Machine to uncover archived versions of these files:

1. Copy the 404 URL: Find a URL that results to HTTP Error 404.
2. Search in the Wayback Machine: Enter is pressed after pasting the given URL in the search bar of the Wayback Machine.
3. Select a Snapshot Date: Take some time and look at the timeline, and identify a snapshot date when the particular file was, in fact, archived.
4. Access the File: Press on the snapshot to view and/or download the file from the archive.

Exploring Archived Files

Using this method, you can uncover:

• Insurance claim templates
• Customer invoices
• Internal documents
• Database backups

For example, a .zip file retrieved through this process might contain sensitive information such as financial records or login credentials.

Advanced Tools for File Discovery

In addition to the Wayback Machine, you can use other tools to expand your search:

VirusTotal

1. Visit VirusTotal.
2. To get all the associated URLs of the target domain, enter the target domain.
3. Search those files which are having unique extensions like .db, .bak etc.
4. If these URLs returns 404 errors, search for these URLs in the Wayback Machine.

AlienVault

1. Navigate to AlienVault.
2. Use the search functionality to find URLs and files related to the target domain.
3. The exact process of using the Wayback Machine for archived snapshots applies here too.

Analyzing Retrieved Files

Once you have accessed the archived files:

Open them to know what they contain.

Look for sensitive data such as:

• Customer lists
• Financial transactions
• Login credentials
• Configuration details

Conduct the report findings responsibly to the target organization through the bug bounty program that is available to them.

Best Practices for Ethical Testing

1. Obtain Authorization: Only test websites with the owner’s or bug bounty program permission as this prevents invasions of privacy and damaging unauthorized access.
2. Focus on Education: These methods should be used for learning and another for responsible reporting only.
3. Secure Your Findings: Someone’s personal information should not be a joke or shared around without their permission even when the information is acquired legally.
4. Follow Disclosure Policies: Follow the ethic guidelines provided by the target organisation of computer vulnerability security.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Relying on Direct Access: If a file gives a 404 error then go for archived snapshots.
• Ignoring File Extensions: Try using file extensions that are not typically seen often in plain words such as .bak, .tmp or json.
• Skipping Subdomains: Make sure however that you includes subdomains in your search as they contain most of the firm’s sensitive files.

The method of bypass 404 errors and going around accessing archived files is one of the most effective techniques to identify information disclosure issues. Some of the sources you can employ to access deleted files include; the Wayback Machine, VirusTotal, and AlienVault. This kind of approach benefits not only in bug bounty programs but as well as bolster your proficiency in ethical hackery and cybersecurity investigation.

Bypass 404 Errors for Bug Bounty Success: Methods and Tools