How I Found a Horizontal Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — From Recon to Exploit
How I Found a Horizontal Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — From Recon to Exploit Hi Researchers this is my 4rd Blog.Introduction During one of my bug bounty sessions, I came across a Horizontal Privilege Escalation vulnerability in a web application. This bug allowed me to access another user’s account and even reset their password — without their permission. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I approached the target, the steps I took, and how I finally exploited the bug.What is Horizontal Privilege Escalation? Horizontal privilege escalation occurs when an attacker gains access to another user’s data or actions without having elevated privileges. Unlike vertical privilege escalation (user → admin), horizontal escalation stays within the same permission level but jumps between accounts. Example:User A can access User B’s account by manipulating parameters like User ID.The attacker does not become an admin but still compromises sensitive data.Reconnaissance Phase Before I found the bug, I performed my usual recon routine:Account Setup I created two separate accounts on the target platform — let’s call them Account A and Account B.Browser Isolation To simulate real users, I opened both accounts in different browsers:Account A → FirefoxAccount B → Firefox IncognitoExploring the Application I browsed through the “My Account” and “Users” sections for both accounts, noting every feature and action available.Identifying the Vulnerability While exploring Account A, I navigated to: My Account → Users → Settings for a specific user. I noticed that the URL or request contained a GUID (a unique User ID). This looked something like:/user/settings?id=23f9a9b1-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx At this point, I suspected that if I replaced this GUID with another user’s ID, I might be able to access their data.Exploitation Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:Copy the Target User’s GUID In Account A, I right-clicked on another user’s “Settings” and copied their GUID.Trigger the Sensitive Action in Account B In Account B, I went to the “Reset Password” option for a user and captured the request in Burp Suite.Modify the Request In Burp, I replaced Account B’s GUID with the copied GUID from Account A.Send to Repeater After sending the modified request to the repeater and clicking Go, the response revealed the target user’s password reset token — effectively letting me take over the account.Impact This vulnerability meant that any authenticated user could:Reset passwords for other users.Gain access to sensitive user data.Cause account takeovers without user consent. Such an issue can lead to:Loss of trust from users.Legal issues due to privacy violations.Financial damages for the organization.References If you want to read more about horizontal privilege escalation:Dark Roast Security: Intro to Privilege EscalationHorizontal Privilege Escalation ExplainedHackerOne Report #244567HackerOne Report #246419Conclusion Horizontal privilege escalation bugs might seem small, but they can be as dangerous as admin-level exploits when sensitive actions like password resets are possible. In this case, simply swapping a GUID allowed me to control another user’s account — a reminder that ID-based access control should always be enforced on the server side. 💡 Tip for fellow hunters: Always check if IDs, tokens, or parameters in requests are validated properly. Something as simple as replacing an ID can lead to a critical bug. Dont forgot to join our Telegram Channel :https://t.me/anon_courses How I Found a Horizontal Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — From Recon to Exploit was originally published in InfoSec Write-ups on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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How I Found a Horizontal Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — From Recon to Exploit Hi Researchers this is my 4rd Blog.Introduction During one of my bug bounty sessions, I came across a Horizontal Privilege Escalation vulnerability in a web application. This bug allowed me to access another user’s account and even reset their password — without their permission. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I approached the target, the steps I took, and how I finally exploited the bug.What is Horizontal Privilege Escalation? Horizontal privilege escalation occurs when an attacker gains access to another user’s data or actions without having elevated privileges. Unlike vertical privilege escalation (user → admin), horizontal escalation stays within the same permission level but jumps between accounts. Example:User A can access User B’s account by manipulating parameters like User ID.The attacker does not become an admin but still compromises sensitive data.Reconnaissance Phase Before I found the bug, I performed my usual recon routine:Account Setup I created two separate accounts on the target platform — let’s call them Account A and Account B.Browser Isolation To simulate real users, I opened both accounts in different browsers:Account A → FirefoxAccount B → Firefox IncognitoExploring the Application I browsed through the “My Account” and “Users” sections for both accounts, noting every feature and action available.Identifying the Vulnerability While exploring Account A, I navigated to: My Account → Users → Settings for a specific user. I noticed that the URL or request contained a GUID (a unique User ID). This looked something like:/user/settings?id=23f9a9b1-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx At this point, I suspected that if I replaced this GUID with another user’s ID, I might be able to access their data.Exploitation Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:Copy the Target User’s GUID In Account A, I right-clicked on another user’s “Settings” and copied their GUID.Trigger the Sensitive Action in Account B In Account B, I went to the “Reset Password” option for a user and captured the request in Burp Suite.Modify the Request In Burp, I replaced Account B’s GUID with the copied GUID from Account A.Send to Repeater After sending the modified request to the repeater and clicking Go, the response revealed the target user’s password reset token — effectively letting me take over the account.Impact This vulnerability meant that any authenticated user could:Reset passwords for other users.Gain access to sensitive user data.Cause account takeovers without user consent. Such an issue can lead to:Loss of trust from users.Legal issues due to privacy violations.Financial damages for the organization.References If you want to read more about horizontal privilege escalation:Dark Roast Security: Intro to Privilege EscalationHorizontal Privilege Escalation ExplainedHackerOne Report #244567HackerOne Report #246419Conclusion Horizontal privilege escalation bugs might seem small, but they can be as dangerous as admin-level exploits when sensitive actions like password resets are possible. In this case, simply swapping a GUID allowed me to control another user’s account — a reminder that ID-based access control should always be enforced on the server side. 💡 Tip for fellow hunters: Always check if IDs, tokens, or parameters in requests are validated properly. Something as simple as replacing an ID can lead to a critical bug. Dont forgot to join our Telegram Channel :https://t.me/anon_courses How I Found a Horizontal Privilege Escalation Vulnerability — From Recon to Exploit was originally published in InfoSec Write-ups on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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Mastering Nmap: The Ultimate Guide to Network Scanning and Vulnerability Detection
Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability HuntingContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability HuntingContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Medium
Mastering Nmap: The Ultimate Guide to Network Scanning and Vulnerability Detection
Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability Hunting
️ How to Bypass Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)
Hey 👋, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) areContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Hey 👋, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) areContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Medium
🛡️ How to Bypass Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)
Hey 👋, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) are
Mastering Nmap: The Ultimate Guide to Network Scanning and Vulnerability Detection
Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability HuntingContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability HuntingContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Medium
Mastering Nmap: The Ultimate Guide to Network Scanning and Vulnerability Detection
Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability Hunting
Rate Limiting in Web Applications: Bug That Pays Your Rent
Introduction Rate limiting is a mechanism that regulates the frequency of client requests to a server within a specific time frame. It is a cornerstone of application stability, abuse prevention, and security hardening. Without it, a service is vulnerable to excessive load, brute-force attempts, and other automated exploitation techniques.Fundamental Concept The principle is straightforward:A client may perform only X number of requests or operations within Y time interval. If a client exceeds this threshold:Requests may be blocked (HTTP 429 Too Many Requests).Requests may be delayed until the limit resets.The client may be temporarily or permanently banned.How does it work?Common Rate Limiting StrategiesFixed Window CounterAll requests in a fixed period are counted. When the limit is exceeded, further requests are blocked until the next window begins.Example: “100 requests per minute.”Drawback: A burst at the end of one window and start of another may double the allowed rate. 2. Sliding Window LogMaintains a timestamped log of recent requests and calculates the request rate in real-time.More precise than a fixed window but requires more memory. 3. Token Bucket AlgorithmA “bucket” is filled with tokens at a fixed rate. Each request consumes a token. If no tokens remain, requests are denied or delayed.Allows for small bursts while maintaining an average rate. 4. Leaky Bucket AlgorithmSimilar to token bucket, but processes requests at a fixed output rate, discarding excess. 5. Dynamic/Adaptive Rate LimitingAdjusts thresholds based on system load, threat level, or client behavior.Common Weaknesses in Rate LimitingSingle-Layer EnforcementOverly Lenient ThresholdsUnprotected Secondary EndpointsLack of LoggingConclusion Rate limiting is not merely a performance optimization; it is a strategic safeguard that influences both the resilience and security posture of a system. Its correct implementation requires granular controls, thoughtful thresholds, and adaptive responses to varying usage patterns.Thank you guysClap 👏, Share & Comment the thoughts. Rate Limiting in Web Applications: Bug That Pays Your Rent was originally published in InfoSec Write-ups on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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Introduction Rate limiting is a mechanism that regulates the frequency of client requests to a server within a specific time frame. It is a cornerstone of application stability, abuse prevention, and security hardening. Without it, a service is vulnerable to excessive load, brute-force attempts, and other automated exploitation techniques.Fundamental Concept The principle is straightforward:A client may perform only X number of requests or operations within Y time interval. If a client exceeds this threshold:Requests may be blocked (HTTP 429 Too Many Requests).Requests may be delayed until the limit resets.The client may be temporarily or permanently banned.How does it work?Common Rate Limiting StrategiesFixed Window CounterAll requests in a fixed period are counted. When the limit is exceeded, further requests are blocked until the next window begins.Example: “100 requests per minute.”Drawback: A burst at the end of one window and start of another may double the allowed rate. 2. Sliding Window LogMaintains a timestamped log of recent requests and calculates the request rate in real-time.More precise than a fixed window but requires more memory. 3. Token Bucket AlgorithmA “bucket” is filled with tokens at a fixed rate. Each request consumes a token. If no tokens remain, requests are denied or delayed.Allows for small bursts while maintaining an average rate. 4. Leaky Bucket AlgorithmSimilar to token bucket, but processes requests at a fixed output rate, discarding excess. 5. Dynamic/Adaptive Rate LimitingAdjusts thresholds based on system load, threat level, or client behavior.Common Weaknesses in Rate LimitingSingle-Layer EnforcementOverly Lenient ThresholdsUnprotected Secondary EndpointsLack of LoggingConclusion Rate limiting is not merely a performance optimization; it is a strategic safeguard that influences both the resilience and security posture of a system. Its correct implementation requires granular controls, thoughtful thresholds, and adaptive responses to varying usage patterns.Thank you guysClap 👏, Share & Comment the thoughts. Rate Limiting in Web Applications: Bug That Pays Your Rent was originally published in InfoSec Write-ups on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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Medium
Rate Limiting in Web Applications: Bug That Pays Your Rent
Taming the flood before it drowns your system.
“Package Hijack Meets GraphQL Goldmine: How One Recon Session Paid for My Caffeine Addiction”
Hey there!😁Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Hey there!😁Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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📦💥 “Package Hijack Meets GraphQL Goldmine: How One Recon Session Paid for My Caffeine Addiction”
Hey there!😁
NETWORK ENUMERATION — NMAP
Hey there! 👋 I’m currently working through the CPTS module from Hack The Box Academy and thought why not share my notes along the way…Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Hey there! 👋 I’m currently working through the CPTS module from Hack The Box Academy and thought why not share my notes along the way…Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Medium
NETWORK ENUMERATION — NMAP
Hey there! 👋 I’m currently working through the CPTS module from Hack The Box Academy and thought why not share my notes along the way…
Top 5 Bug Bounty Tips (With Real-World Examples)Continue reading on Medium » (https://medium.com/@anandrishav2228/top-5-bug-bounty-tips-b01e7d765090?source=rss------bug_bounty-5)
️ How to Bypass Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)
https://infosecwriteups.com/%EF%B8%8F-how-to-bypass-web-application-firewalls-wafs-8346e6e79dd3?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
https://infosecwriteups.com/%EF%B8%8F-how-to-bypass-web-application-firewalls-wafs-8346e6e79dd3?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
Hey 👋, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) areContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups » (https://infosecwriteups.com/%EF%B8%8F-how-to-bypass-web-application-firewalls-wafs-8346e6e79dd3?source=rss------bug_bounty-5)
Mastering Nmap: The Ultimate Guide to Network Scanning and Vulnerability Detection
https://infosecwriteups.com/mastering-nmap-the-ultimate-guide-to-network-scanning-and-vulnerability-detection-769d1d2eecff?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
https://infosecwriteups.com/mastering-nmap-the-ultimate-guide-to-network-scanning-and-vulnerability-detection-769d1d2eecff?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
Unleashing Nmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Network Exploration and Vulnerability HuntingContinue reading on InfoSec Write-ups » (https://infosecwriteups.com/mastering-nmap-the-ultimate-guide-to-network-scanning-and-vulnerability-detection-769d1d2eecff?source=rss------bug_bounty-5)
Day6 Recon: How to Find Exposed Cloud Storage & Hidden Third-Party Assets (With Real Demos) From…
Ever stumbled across a forgotten S3 bucket leaking sensitive files? Or maybe a misconfigured cloud asset that was never meant to be public…Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Ever stumbled across a forgotten S3 bucket leaking sensitive files? Or maybe a misconfigured cloud asset that was never meant to be public…Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups »
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Medium
Day6 Recon: How to Find Exposed Cloud Storage & Hidden Third-Party Assets (With Real Demos) From S3 Buckets to GrayhatWarfare —…
Ever stumbled across a forgotten S3 bucket leaking sensitive files? Or maybe a misconfigured cloud asset that was never meant to be public…
Why AI Chatbot Security Testing Feels Like Social Engineering ??
Social engineering has always been about one thing: exploiting trust. For decades, attackers have refined the art of manipulating human…Continue reading on Medium »
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Social engineering has always been about one thing: exploiting trust. For decades, attackers have refined the art of manipulating human…Continue reading on Medium »
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Medium
Why AI Chatbot Security Testing Feels Like Social Engineering ??
Social engineering has always been about one thing: exploiting trust. For decades, attackers have refined the art of manipulating human…
Day6 Recon: How to Find Exposed Cloud Storage & Hidden Third-Party Assets (With Real Demos)
From…
https://infosecwriteups.com/day6-recon-how-to-find-exposed-cloud-storage-hidden-third-party-assets-with-real-demos-from-798219ba4d7f?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
Ever stumbled across a forgotten S3 bucket leaking sensitive files? Or maybe a misconfigured cloud asset that was never meant to be public…Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups » (https://infosecwriteups.com/day6-recon-how-to-find-exposed-cloud-storage-hidden-third-party-assets-with-real-demos-from-798219ba4d7f?source=rss------bug_bounty-5)
From…
https://infosecwriteups.com/day6-recon-how-to-find-exposed-cloud-storage-hidden-third-party-assets-with-real-demos-from-798219ba4d7f?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
Ever stumbled across a forgotten S3 bucket leaking sensitive files? Or maybe a misconfigured cloud asset that was never meant to be public…Continue reading on InfoSec Write-ups » (https://infosecwriteups.com/day6-recon-how-to-find-exposed-cloud-storage-hidden-third-party-assets-with-real-demos-from-798219ba4d7f?source=rss------bug_bounty-5)
Alright — I’ll expand your English writeup into a full, detailed, technical case study that works…
Go deep into exploitation methodologyContinue reading on CodeX »
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Go deep into exploitation methodologyContinue reading on CodeX »
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Medium
🔍 From LFI to Full Infrastructure Compromise — A CVSS 9.0 Real-World Case Study
Go deep into exploitation methodology
Why AI Chatbot Security Testing Feels Like Social Engineering ??
https://codewithvamp.medium.com/why-ai-chatbot-security-testing-feels-like-social-engineering-8812b7520660?source=rss------bug_bounty-5
https://codewithvamp.medium.com/why-ai-chatbot-security-testing-feels-like-social-engineering-8812b7520660?source=rss------bug_bounty-5