So, you’ve found a target. It’s sleek, modern, and protected by a cloud-based WAF like Cloudflare. It looks impenetrable. The WAF is the bouncer, checking every ID at the door. But what if the back door was left open?

This is about finding that back door. For security testing, bug bounty hunting, or understanding your own infrastructure, discovering the true origin server is a fundamental skill. Let’s bypass the bouncer.

Why This Truly Matters

Modern security often relies on obscurity. A WAF can’t be bypassed if its origin IP is never found. This first step — Origin Server Discovery — is the cornerstone of any serious WAF Bypass or Bug Bounty Recon effort. It’s not about force; it’s about cleverness.

The Core Idea: A Multi-Tool Hunt

No single technique works every time. The real art is in combining methods, using a suite of cybersecurity tools to piece the puzzle together. Persistence is your greatest tool.

Here is your detailed playbook.

1. DNS Reconnaissance: The Historical Trail

Websites change. Their DNS records hold a history book of past configurations, often…