---
name: red-team-tools-4b35b684bf27
description: "Implement proven methodologies and tool workflows from top security researchers for effective reconnaissance, vulnerability discovery, and bug bounty hunting. Automate common tasks while maintaining thorough coverage of attack surfaces."
risk: offensive
source: community
author: zebbern
date_added: "2026-02-27"
---
> AUTHORIZED USE ONLY: Use this skill only for authorized security assessments, defensive validation, or controlled educational environments.
# Red Team Tools and Methodology
## Purpose
Implement proven methodologies and tool workflows from top security researchers for effective reconnaissance, vulnerability discovery, and bug bounty hunting. Automate common tasks while maintaining thorough coverage of attack surfaces.
## Inputs/Prerequisites
- Target scope definition (domains, IP ranges, applications)
- Linux-based attack machine (Kali, Ubuntu)
- Bug bounty program rules and scope
- Tool dependencies installed (Go, Python, Ruby)
- API keys for various services (Shodan, Censys, etc.)
## Outputs/Deliverables
- Comprehensive subdomain enumeration
- Live host discovery and technology fingerprinting
- Identified vulnerabilities and attack vectors
- Automated recon pipeline outputs
- Documented findings for reporting
## Core Workflow
### 1. Project Tracking and Acquisitions
Set up reconnaissance tracking:
```bash
# Create project structure
mkdir -p target/{recon,vulns,reports}
cd target
# Find acquisitions using Crunchbase
# Search manually for subsidiary companies
# Get ASN for targets
amass intel -org "Target Company" -src
# Alternative ASN lookup
curl -s "https://bgp.he.net/search?search=targetcompany&commit=Search"
```
### 2. Subdomain Enumeration
Comprehensive subdomain discovery:
```bash
# Create wildcards file
echo "target.com" > wildcards
# Run Amass passively
amass enum -passive -d target.com -src -o amass_passive.txt
# Run Amass actively
amass enum -active -d target.com -src -o amass_active.txt
# Use Subfinder
subfinder -d target.com -silent -o subfinder.txt
# Asset discovery
cat wildcards | assetfinder --subs-only | anew domains.txt
# Alternative subdomain tools
findomain -t target.com -o
# Generate permutations with dnsgen
cat domains.txt | dnsgen - | httprobe > permuted.txt
# Combine all sources
cat amass_*.txt subfinder.txt | sort -u > all_subs.txt
```
### 3. Live Host Discovery
Identify responding hosts:
```bash
# Check which hosts are live with httprobe
cat domains.txt | httprobe -c 80 --prefer-https | anew hosts.txt
# Use httpx for more details
cat domains.txt | httpx -title -tech-detect -status-code -o live_hosts.txt
# Alternative with massdns
massdns -r resolvers.txt -t A -o S domains.txt > resolved.txt
```
### 4. Technology Fingerprinting
Identify technologies for targeted attacks:
```bash
# Whatweb scanning
whatweb -i hosts.txt -a 3 -v > tech_stack.txt
# Nuclei technology detection
nuclei -l hosts.txt -t technologies/ -o tech_nuclei.txt
# Wappalyzer (if available)
# Browser extension for manual review
```
### 5. Content Discovery
Find hidden endpoints and files:
```bash
# Directory bruteforce with ffuf
ffuf -ac -v -u https://target.com/FUZZ -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/raft-medium-directories.txt
# Historical URLs from Wayback
waybackurls target.com | tee wayback.txt
# Find all URLs with gau
gau target.com | tee all_urls.txt
# Parameter discovery
cat all_urls.txt | grep "=" | sort -u > params.txt
# Generate custom wordlist from historical data
cat all_urls.txt | unfurl paths | sort -u > custom_wordlist.txt
```
### 6. Application Analysis (Jason Haddix Method)
**Heat Map Priority Areas:**
1. **File Uploads** - Test for injection, XXE, SSRF, shell upload
2. **Content Types** - Filter Burp for multipart forms
3. **APIs** - Look for hidden methods, lack of auth
4. **Profile Sections** - Stored XSS, custom fields
5. **Integrations** - SSRF through third parties
6. **Error Pages** - Exotic injection points
**Analysis Questions:**
- How does the app pass data? (Params, API, Hybrid)
- Where does the app talk about users? (UID, UUID endpoints)
- Does the site have multi-tenancy or user levels?
- Does it have a unique threat model?
- How does the site handle XSS/CSRF?
- Has the site had past writeups/exploits?
### 7. Automated XSS Hunting
```bash
# ParamSpider for parameter extraction
python3 paramspider.py --domain target.com -o params.txt
# Filter with Gxss
cat params.txt | Gxss -p test
# Dalfox for XSS testing
cat params.txt | dalfox pipe --mining-dict params.txt -o xss_results.txt
# Alternative workflow
waybackurls target.com | grep "=" | qsreplace '">' | while read url; do
curl -s "$url" | grep -q 'alert(1)' && echo "$url"
done > potential_xss.txt
```
### 8. Vulnerability Scanning
```bash
# Nuclei comprehensive scan
nuclei -l hosts.txt -t ~/nuclei-templates/ -o nuclei_results.txt
# Check for common CVEs
nuclei -l hosts.txt -t cves/ -o cve_results.txt
# Web vulnerabilities
nuclei -l hosts.txt -t vulnerabilities/ -o vuln_results.txt
```
### 9. API Enumeration
**Wordlists for API fuzzing:**
```bash
# Enumerate API endpoints
ffuf -u https://target.com/api/FUZZ -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/api/api-endpoints.txt
# Test API versions
ffuf -u https://target.com/api/v1/FUZZ -w api_wordlist.txt
ffuf -u https://target.com/api/v2/FUZZ -w api_wordlist.txt
# Check for hidden methods
for method in GET POST PUT DELETE PATCH; do
curl -X $method https://target.com/api/users -v
done
```
### 10. Automated Recon Script
```bash
#!/bin/bash
domain=$1
if [[ -z $domain ]]; then
echo "Usage: ./recon.sh "
exit 1
fi
mkdir -p "$domain"
# Subdomain enumeration
echo "[*] Enumerating subdomains..."
subfinder -d "$domain" -silent > "$domain/subs.txt"
# Live host discovery
echo "[*] Finding live hosts..."
cat "$domain/subs.txt" | httpx -title -tech-detect -status-code > "$domain/live.txt"
# URL collection
echo "[*] Collecting URLs..."
cat "$domain/live.txt" | waybackurls > "$domain/urls.txt"
# Nuclei scanning
echo "[*] Running Nuclei..."
nuclei -l "$domain/live.txt" -o "$domain/nuclei.txt"
echo "[+] Recon complete!"
```
## Quick Reference
### Essential Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| Amass | Subdomain enumeration |
| Subfinder | Fast subdomain discovery |
| httpx/httprobe | Live host detection |
| ffuf | Content discovery |
| Nuclei | Vulnerability scanning |
| Burp Suite | Manual testing |
| Dalfox | XSS automation |
| waybackurls | Historical URL mining |
### Key API Endpoints to Check
```
/api/v1/users
/api/v1/admin
/api/v1/profile
/api/users/me
/api/config
/api/debug
/api/swagger
/api/graphql
```
### XSS Filter Testing
```html
![]()