🚨 Mastering XSS: How I Turned Bugs into 💰 with Real Bug Bounty Finds!

Hey hackers 👋

If you’re diving into the world of bug bounty hunting or ethical hacking, there’s one vulnerability you must master: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). It’s everywhere — and if you know how to spot it, you’re on the path to 💸 real bounties.

In this blog, I’ll break down XSS for you — the types, how to find it, and real-world bounty stories that paid big!

🧠 What is XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)?

XSS allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript into websites. If a site displays user input without sanitizing it, attackers can steal cookies, deface content, or hijack sessions.

⚔️ Types of XSS You Should Know

Type Description Severity 🗃️ Stored XSS Script is saved in DB (e.g. comments, profile fields). High 💨 Reflected XSS Script is reflected immediately (e.g. via URL). Medium 🧩 DOM XSS Client-side JS modifies page using untrusted input. High

🛠️ How to Find XSS (My Field Checklist ✅)

• 🔍 Look for user inputs: forms, search bars, comments
• 🧪 Use test payloads: <script>alert(1)</script>, <img src=x onerror=alert(1)>
• 📜 Check where your input reflects: HTML, JS context, attributes
• ⚙️ Use tools: Burp Suite, XSS Hunter, XSStrike, Dalfox