BountyOS is a purpose-built Linux distribution tailored for modern bug bounty practitioners and application security researchers. It focuses on a tight, maintained toolset, reliable base packages, and workflows that map directly to bug bounty tasks — recon, scanning, exploitation verification, and reporting.
Why BountyOS Fits the Bug-Hunters’ Workflow
Unlike general-purpose “hacker” distributions that include hundreds of outdated or rarely used tools, BountyOS adopts a curated approach. It is based on the stable Debian 12 foundation, supports both amd64 and arm64 architectures, and ships with tools that work directly in live mode (no mandatory installation required). This makes it suitable for quick triage, portable use, and creating reproducible environments where tool freshness matters.
Key benefits for bug hunters:
- Live-mode readiness: Run tools without installing the OS to disk.
- Debian 12 base: Stability, security patches, and broad package support.
- Multi-architecture support: Works on both x86_64 and ARM devices.
Notable Tools Included in BountyOS
BountyOS ships with a compact but powerful toolset designed for modern bug bounty workflows. Some of the highlighted categories and tools include:
- Recon: amass, subfinder, assetfinder
- Scanning & Probing: httpx, nuclei, dalfox, gf, waybackurls
- Brute/Dir Fuzzing: ffuf, dirsearch, curated wordlists
- Networking & Discovery: massdns, dnsx, masscan
- Testing / Proxying: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, sqlmap
- OSINT & Enrichment: theHarvester, recon-ng
Installation and Availability
BountyOS provides downloadable ISO images for both supported architectures. It also supports live mode, which allows hunters to boot and run tools instantly without needing installation. For those who prefer a more permanent setup, installers are available to create a persistent environment.
Special Scripts and Practical Additions
Here are some practical scripts and shortcuts you can use within BountyOS to maximize productivity.
1) System Update & Toolchain Refresh
Save as bounty-update.sh:
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
echo "[*] Updating system packages..."
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y
echo "[*] Updating Go-based tools..."
if command -v go >/dev/null 2>&1; then
GO111MODULE=on go install github.com/projectdiscovery/httpx/cmd/httpx@latest
GO111MODULE=on go install github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei/v2/cmd/nuclei@latest
GO111MODULE=on go install github.com/projectdiscovery/subfinder/v2/cmd/subfinder@latest
fi
echo "[*] Cleanup..."
sudo apt autoremove -y
echo "[*] Update Complete."
2) Recon Pipeline Script
Save as bounty-recon.sh:
#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Usage: ./bounty-recon.sh domain.com
TARGET="$1"
mkdir -p recon/$TARGET
echo "[*] Gathering subdomains..."
subfinder -d "$TARGET" -silent | tee recon/$TARGET/subs.txt
echo "[*] Probing live hosts..."
cat recon/$TARGET/subs.txt | httpx -silent -threads 50 -o recon/$TARGET/alive.txt
echo "[*] Running nuclei templates..."
nuclei -l recon/$TARGET/alive.txt -t /path/to/nuclei-templates -silent -o recon/$TARGET/nuclei-results.txt
echo "[*] Collecting wayback URLs..."
cat recon/$TARGET/alive.txt | waybackurls | tee recon/$TARGET/wayback.txt
3) Handy Aliases for Fast Usage
Add to .bashrc or .zshrc:
alias subf='subfinder -silent'
alias probe='httpx -silent -threads 50'
alias nuc='nuclei -silent'
Operational Tips
- Keep tools and templates updated regularly.
- Tune scan rates and threads carefully to avoid unintentional denial-of-service on targets.
- Always follow responsible disclosure policies before testing or reporting vulnerabilities.
How BountyOS Helps You Be More Efficient
- Reduced setup time: Preinstalled, curated tools let you start hunting immediately.
- Reproducible environment: Debian base ensures consistency across devices.
- Portable setup: Support for both x86 and ARM means you can run it on laptops, servers, and even some SBCs.
Conclusion
BountyOS is a streamlined and security-focused operating system built to empower bug bounty hunters with the right set of tools, stability, and live-mode convenience. It helps you move from boot to bounty quickly without unnecessary setup, so you can focus on finding vulnerabilities and reporting them effectively.
If you need more information, guidance, or deeper insights about BountyOS and other bug bounty resources, connect with us at Hackersking — your trusted space for security knowledge and updates.
