Subdomain Enumeration with BBOT: Comparative Guide to Outperform Other Tools.

Discover how BBOT revolutionizes subdomain enumeration with its modular design, combining DNS resolution, API-driven scanning, and vulnerability checks into a single workflow. Compare its performance against Sublist3r, Findomain, and Amass to see why BBOT’s 80+ modules and customizable API integrations deliver unmatched depth and efficiency for bug bounty hunters and penetration testers. Learn practical tips to maximize results while maintaining ethical reconnaissance standards.

What is BBOT?

Subdomain enumeration is like mapping uncharted territory — it helps you discover hidden parts of a target’s online presence. Whether you’re a bug bounty hunter or a security researcher, choosing the right tool can make all the difference.

BBOT is an open-source, modular, and highly customizable reconnaissance framework for bug bounty hunters and penetration testers. Unlike traditional tools focusing solely on subdomain enumeration, BBOT provides a comprehensive suite of modules for various tasks, including DNS resolution, web crawling, port scanning, and vulnerability detection.

GitHub Link: https://github.com/blacklanternsecurity/bbot

Key features of BBOT:

• Multi-source Data Collection.
• Efficient & Fast Scanning.
• Integration with APIs like Shodan, Censys, and VirusTotal.
• Support for Multiple Targets
• Web Screenshots
• Suite of Offensive Web Modules
• NLP-powered Subdomain Mutations
• Native Output to Neo4j (and more)
• Automatic dependency install with Ansible
• Search entire attack surface with custom YARA rules
• Python API + Developer Documentation

Why Subdomain Enumeration Matters

• Expands the Attack Surface:
  Identifies additional entry points for attackers.
• Finds Forgotten or Misconfigured Services:
  Detects outdated software and security misconfigurations.
• Discovers API Endpoints and Sensitive Information:
  Prevents data leaks and unauthorized access.
• Bypasses Security Controls:
  Identifies security gaps in WAF and other protection mechanisms.
• Identifies Takeover Vulnerabilities:
  Prevents subdomain hijacking by detecting abandoned services.

Image: blacklanternsecurity GitHub

Installation:

# stable version
pipx install bbot

# bleeding edge (dev branch)
pipx install - pip-args '\ - pre' bbot

Configuring BBOT

To unlock BBOT’s full potential, integrating various APIs is essential. By configuring APIs from services like Shodan, VirusTotal, crt.sh, and SecurityTrails, you can significantly enhance data collection and reconnaissance efficiency.

Why Configure APIs?

APIs allow BBOT to fetch richer, more accurate intelligence by querying external databases. This helps in:
✔️ Expanding subdomain enumeration
✔️ Gathering threat intelligence on IPs and domains
✔️ Fetching detailed WHOIS and certificate transparency data
✔️ Identifying exposed services and vulnerabilities

By leveraging APIs, BBOT can correlate data from multiple sources, reducing false positives and improving reconnaissance speed. Whether you’re conducting penetration testing, OSINT research, or bug bounty hunting, properly configured APIs give you a competitive edge.

API Keys

Similar to Amass or Subfinder, BBOT supports API keys for various third-party services such as SecurityTrails, etc.

The standard way to do this is to enter your API keys in ~/.config/bbot/bbot.yml. Note that multiple API keys are allowed:

modules:
  shodan_dns:
    api_key: 4f41243847da693a4f356c0486114bc6
  c99:
    # multiple API keys
    api_key:
      - 21a270d5f59c9b05813a72bb41707266
      - ea8f243d9885cf8ce9876a580224fd3c
      - 5bc6ed268ab6488270e496d3183a1a27
  virustotal:
    api_key: dd5f0eee2e4a99b71a939bded450b246
  securitytrails:
    api_key: d9a05c3fd9a514497713c54b4455d0b0

Free APIs:
Shodan
VirusTotal
URLScan
GitHub
ProjectDiscovery
GitLab
BuiltWith
ZoomEye
SecurityTrails
Hunter.io
BinaryEdge
Bevigil
… more APIs can be configured but right now I have used these.

If you like, you can also specify them on the command line:

bbot -c modules.virustotal.api_key=dd5f0eee2e4a99b71a939bded450b246

Configuration guide: https://www.blacklanternsecurity.com/bbot/Stable/scanning/configuration/

Practical:

Let’s walk through a real-world example of using BBOT to enumerate subdomains for target.com. We’ll compare its output with Sublist3r, Findomain, and Amass to highlight differences in results and workflow.

- Configured API’s -

DNS Information

ASN’s

- 50 Subdomains found by BBOT -

- Other Outputs -

30 subdomains found by Sublist3r

32 subdomains found by Findomain

31 subdomains found by Amass

Other Examples:

Image: blacklanternsecurity: Subdomains Found

Image: blacklanternsecurity: Runtimes

For more info: https://www.blacklanternsecurity.com/bbot/Stable/comparison/

Subdomain Enumeration Tool Face-off

Subdomain Enumeration Tool Face-off - 2023 Edition

BBOT Graph Visualization

GitHub - blacklanternsecurity/bbot-vivagraphjs: Visualize BBOT scans in realtime with VivaGraphJS

- BBOT Visualization -

Summary:

As we’ve explored, BBOT bridges the gap between speed and depth in subdomain enumeration. While Findomain excels in rapid scans and Amass in exhaustive discovery, BBOT’s modular framework offers unparalleled flexibility for integrating DNS validation, API-driven insights, and vulnerability checks into a single workflow. Its ability to chain tasks — like resolving subdomains and scanning for live services — makes it a powerhouse for bug hunters.

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☣ ️Happy Hacking! ☣ ️
— XoX