In the world of cybersecurity, bug bounties are an increasingly popular way for ethical hackers to earn money while helping organizations secure their digital assets. Whether you’re a seasoned bug bounty hunter or just starting out, one of the most important skills you’ll need is the ability to write clear, concise, and actionable bug reports. A well-written bug report not only increases your chances of getting paid for your findings but also builds your credibility in the bug bounty community.

In this blog post, we will explore the key elements of a high-quality bug report, how to structure it effectively, and some tips and tricks to improve your chances of success in bug bounty programs.

Why Writing Effective Bug Reports Matters

When you submit a bug to a bug bounty program, you’re not just reporting a vulnerability—you’re communicating your findings to people who may not have the same technical background as you. Bug bounty triagers and security teams may be overwhelmed with numerous reports, so it’s crucial that your report stands out by being easy to understand, accurate, and comprehensive.

Here’s why good bug reports are essential:

1. Faster Review Process: A well-structured and clear report makes it easier for the security team to verify the bug, leading to a quicker resolution and payout.
2. Increased Credibility: Consistently submitting well-written reports increases your credibility and may lead to long-term relationships with the companies you work with.
3. Higher Reward Potential: Many bug bounty programs offer higher payouts for well-documented, critical vulnerabilities. Proper reporting maximizes your chances of receiving the highest possible reward.

Key Elements of an Effective Bug Report

A bug report is not just about explaining what you found—it’s about providing all the necessary information so the security team can quickly replicate and assess the issue. Below are the key elements every bug report should include:

1. Title of the Bug

Your title should be short yet descriptive enough to give an idea of what the vulnerability is. Avoid vague or unclear titles like “Bug in Login System.” Instead, opt for something more specific like “SQL Injection in Login Form Allows Unauthorized Database Access.”

Example:

• Weak Title: “Bug in Search Feature”
• Effective Title: “Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability in Search Feature on Example.com”

2. Summary

The summary is a concise explanation of the vulnerability. It should provide a brief overview of the issue, the affected system or feature, and the potential security impact.

Key points to include:

• What is the bug?
• Where is the bug located?
• What is the impact of the bug?

Example: The login form on example.com is vulnerable to SQL Injection. By submitting a crafted payload, an attacker can extract sensitive data from the database, including usernames and passwords.

3. Steps to Reproduce

This is one of the most critical parts of your bug report. Provide detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to replicate the issue. Use screenshots, videos, or code snippets where necessary. The more specific and clear you are, the easier it is for the team to verify the bug.

Example:

1. Go to the login page at example.com/login.
2. Enter the following payload into the username field: ' OR 1=1--.
3. Leave the password field blank and click “Login.”
4. You will be logged in as the first user in the database without needing a valid password.

4. Vulnerability Impact

Clearly explain the impact of the vulnerability. Why does this bug matter? What could a malicious actor achieve if they exploited it? This helps the security team assess the severity of the issue and prioritize fixing it.

Example: An attacker can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to access sensitive user data stored in the database, including email addresses and hashed passwords. This could lead to user impersonation and further data breaches.

5. Affected Systems or Versions

Mention the specific systems, versions, or endpoints that are affected by the bug. This is especially important if the application has multiple versions, platforms, or environments.

Example: This vulnerability affects the login functionality on version 3.2.1 of the web application running on example.com.

6. Proof of Concept (PoC)

A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a demonstration that the bug exists. This could be in the form of code, payloads, or even screenshots showing how you successfully exploited the bug. Including a PoC increases the chances that your report will be taken seriously.

Example:

' OR 1=1 --

Using this payload in the username field of the login form results in unauthorized access to the system.

7. Mitigation Recommendations

Offering a suggestion on how to fix the vulnerability can set your report apart from others. You don’t need to go into full detail, but providing a recommendation shows that you understand the issue well and want to contribute to solving it.

Example: To fix this issue, parameterize the SQL queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped. Additionally, implement server-side validation to prevent malicious input from being processed.

8. Severity Rating

Many bug bounty platforms ask you to assign a severity level to the bug (e.g., Low, Medium, High, Critical). This rating is usually based on the potential impact and ease of exploitation.

Example: Severity: High – This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive user data.

Bug Report Example

Now that we’ve outlined the essential components, let’s compile them into a cohesive bug report.

Title:
SQL Injection in Login Form Allows Unauthorized Database Access

Summary:
The login form on example.com is vulnerable to SQL Injection. By submitting a specially crafted payload in the username field, an attacker can bypass authentication and gain access to sensitive data stored in the database, including usernames and passwords.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Visit the login page at example.com/login.
2. In the username field, input the following payload: ' OR 1=1 --.
3. Leave the password field blank and click “Login.”
4. You will be logged in as the first user in the database without needing valid credentials.

Vulnerability Impact:
This SQL Injection vulnerability allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the system, exposing sensitive user data such as usernames and hashed passwords. If exploited, this could lead to user impersonation and further attacks on the system.

Affected Systems or Versions:
Version 3.2.1 of the web application on example.com is affected by this vulnerability.

Proof of Concept (PoC):

' OR 1=1 --

Mitigation Recommendations:

• Implement parameterized queries to prevent SQL Injection attacks.
• Use server-side validation to ensure that malicious input is sanitized and rejected.

Severity Rating:
High

Tips for Writing Better Bug Reports

Here are some extra tips to ensure your bug reports are professional and effective:

1. Be Concise but Thorough: Include all relevant information without unnecessary details. Security teams are often swamped with reports, so clarity and conciseness are appreciated.
2. Test the Bug on Multiple Environments (if possible): Before reporting, try to reproduce the bug across different platforms or browsers. This helps the triage team understand the scope of the issue.
3. Use Visuals Where Necessary: Screenshots or videos can be helpful, especially for user interface bugs or more complex issues. A video walkthrough is sometimes easier for reviewers to follow than written steps.
4. Follow the Bug Bounty Program’s Guidelines: Every bug bounty program has its own guidelines for what to include in reports. Make sure you review these before submitting your report.
5. Submit PoCs for Critical Bugs: Always include a PoC for critical or high-severity bugs. The more evidence you provide, the better your chances of getting a quick response and reward.
6. Stay Professional: Bug bounty hunting is a professional engagement, so always use respectful language and offer constructive feedback. Avoid blaming developers or companies for the vulnerabilities you find.

Conclusion

Writing effective bug reports is one of the most important skills you can develop as a bug bounty hunter. By following the structured approach outlined in this blog post, you can increase your chances of having your bugs accepted and rewarded. Remember, clear communication is key. The more straightforward and easy to follow your report, the faster the security team can understand, verify, and patch the vulnerability.

Happy bug hunting!

This blog post provides valuable insights into writing quality bug reports for bug bounties. If you’re looking to enhance your bug bounty hunting skills or want to dive deeper into cybersecurity, follow our platform for more guides, tips, and resources.