Picture this: You’re bug hunting, fuzzing endpoints in Burp Suite, and you hit a 403 Forbidden error on a juicy target like https://api.example.com/api/v1/user/wp-config%2ephp. It’s frustrating—access is blocked, but you know there’s potential for a big bug, like exposed database credentials or an API key leak. A 403 error means the server is saying “no entry,” but in bug bounty hunting, it’s often a sign you’re close to something valuable. This comprehensive guide will show you how to bypass 403 errors in Burp Suite, step by step, using creative techniques and a powerful wordlist. We’ll cover everything from tweaking requests to finding hidden endpoints, with real-world examples inspired by HackerOne reports. Whether you’re stuck on a specific request or want to master 403 bypasses, this article will help you turn “Forbidden” into “Found” and score big bounties. Let’s crack the 403 code!

Why 403 Errors Are a Bug Hunter’s Clue

A 403 Forbidden response means the server understands your request but refuses to fulfill it, often due to:

• Access Controls: The endpoint requires authentication (e.g…