Account takeover (ATO) vulnerabilities let attackers access a user’s account without authorisation, potentially resulting in severe consequences such as financial fraud and identity theft.
Platforms such as Bugcrowd, HackerOne, and private programs often offer rewards of $1,000 or more for valid ATO reports, making it an attractive source of income for ethical hackers.
This article walks the reader through a step-by-step process of discovering and reporting ATO vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for thorough reconnaissance to identify vulnerabilities in authentication and session management.
The recovery mechanism is emphasized as the desired target, given its weakness in many authentication systems.
The risks attached to Account Takeover are highlighted, serving as a reminder of the importance of fixing such vulnerabilities to ensure user data is kept secure.