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Getting started with Burp Logger

  • Last updated: June 18, 2024

  • Read time: 2 Minutes

The Logger tab displays all the HTTP traffic sent between all of Burp's tools and your target websites. This includes tools or extensions that send requests automatically, such as Burp Scanner.

In this tutorial, you'll use Burp Logger to view requests sent by Burp Scanner and the resulting responses from target websites.

Step 1: Access the lab

Open Burp's browser and the Logger tab side by side.

Use Burp's browser to access the following URL:

https://portswigger.net/web-security/sql-injection/lab-retrieve-hidden-data

Click Access the lab and log in to your PortSwigger account if prompted. This opens your own instance of a deliberately vulnerable shopping website.

Logger tab and Burp's browser open side by side

Step 2: View requests on the Logger tab

On the shopping site, apply one of the category filters. The Logger tab updates in real-time. Click the # column header to sort the log so that recent requests are on the top. Notice the new request with a category query parameter.

Selecting a category on the shopping site results in a request with a query parameter

Step 3: Audit a request with Burp Scanner

Right-click on the request with the category query parameter, then select Do active scan. Burp Scanner performs an audit with this request.

Selecting Do active scan from the context-menu

Step 4: Examine the requests made by Burp Scanner

Examine the Tool column to identify the requests that Burp Scanner makes as it performs the audit. Select a request to see it displayed in the message editor.

The tools column and message editor

Note

Burp Scanner requests are not shown in the HTTP history, as they are not trafficked through a proxied browser. Only the Logger tab shows the requests that Burp Scanner makes as it performs the audit.

Step 5: Filter the log

To filter which requests are shown, click the View filter bar. For more information, see Burp Logger view filter.

Logger view settings

Note

You can also control which requests are logged in the first place. To do this, click the Capture filter bar. These settings also control how much memory the log is allowed to use, and the maximum size of requests and responses are stored. For more information, see Burp Logger capture filter.

Step 6: Disable and clear the Logger history

To disable the logging for all items, click the Logging: On/Off button.

To clear the log entirely, click on the trash icon at the top right of the screen. Once cleared, the log cannot be retrieved.

Logging: On/Off button and trash can icon

Learn more about Logger

This tutorial showed you how to use Burp Logger to study requests sent by Burp Suite.

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