API Fuzzing for Bug Bounty

Overview

Fuzzing, authentication checks, and payload crafting expose the injection, IDOR, and method-tampering gaps that bug bounty programs prize.

When to Use

• Testing REST, SOAP, GraphQL, or proprietary APIs for vulnerabilities under bug bounty or red-team timelines.
• Documenting exploits that hinge on IDOR/BOLA, authentication bypasses, SSRF, SQL/command injection, or rate-limit bypass.
• Automating endpoint coverage with tooling (Burp, Kiterunner, GraphQLmap) and reusable wordlists.

When NOT to Use

• Pure UI testing without significant API interaction.
• Static API documentation review that does not involve direct endpoint interaction.
• General network or infrastructure assessments that focus on routers, firewalls, or OSI layers outside the API plane.

Purpose

Provide comprehensive techniques for testing REST, SOAP, and GraphQL APIs during bug bounty hunting and penetration testing engagements. Covers vulnerability discovery, authentication bypass, IDOR exploitation, and API-specific attack vectors.