Exposing Vulnerabilities: The Power of Google Dorking in Cybersecurity Part-2

Hey nerds! Abhilov here, Ready to level up your hacking game? In this sequel to our first adventure, we’re diving even deeper into the fascinating (and sometimes shocking) world of Google Dorking. Think you know everything there is to know about searching the web? Think again!

From now, grab your virtual magnifying glass, because it’s time to dig into some juicy dorks that will not only expand your knowledge but also keep your cybersecurity skills sharp. Let’s get started!

In the first part of our series, “Exposing Vulnerabilities: The Power of Google Dorking in Cybersecurity”, we explored the fundamentals of Google Dorking, uncovering how search queries can reveal hidden or vulnerable data. As we dive into Part 2, we’ll take things a step further, focusing on advanced dorking techniques and real-world case studies that illustrate the risks and rewards of this powerful tool in the hands of cybersecurity professionals and malicious actors alike.

Here is the complete list of all the dorks you need to know:

Advance Dorking techniques

When it comes to the advance part of dorking, you can use multiple dorks at a time to look for sensitive information or vulnerable endpoints publicly available on the internet. You can also add the keywords like “DB_PASSWORD”, ”confidential”, “do not distribute” or “PASSWORD” to look for the desired results.

inurl:*.gov: This part of the query restricts the search to URLs that end with .gov .

"password" | "credential" | "username": This section specifies the keywords to search for. We are using | (OR operator) to look for multiple keywords in one search.

filetype:log: only return files with the .log extension.

2. inurl:admin intitle:“control panel”

inurl:admin: search for the URLs that contain the term “admin” .

intitle:"control panel": looks for the pages wherethe title includes the phrase “control panel” .

3. filetype:bak inurl:”backup”

filetype:bak: looks for the files with .bak extension . .bak extension is for the backup files.

inurl:"backup": This section restricts the search to URLs that include the word "backup".

Hackerone Reports:

2. Improper Access Control via google dorking

3. google dorking lead to unauthorized AWS account access and Account takeover

If you’re on the lookout for more Google Dorks to enhance your red teaming efforts, be sure to check out the Google Hacking Database (GHDB) — a comprehensive resource for finding vulnerable targets and potential security risks.

Caution:

While Google Dorking can be a powerful method for identifying potential security weaknesses, it should be used responsibly and within the boundaries of ethical hacking practices. Misuse of these techniques for unauthorized access or data exploitation can result in legal consequences. Always ensure you have permission before testing any system, and follow proper disclosure guidelines when discovering vulnerabilities.

As we wrap up Part 2 of “Exposing Vulnerabilities: The Power of Google Dorking in Cybersecurity,” it’s clear that the potential of advanced dorking techniques is immense — whether for bolstering security or uncovering sensitive information. While Google Dorking remains a powerful tool in the cybersecurity arsenal, it’s also a double-edged sword that can be exploited by malicious actors if proper precautions aren’t taken. By understanding how search engines can reveal vulnerabilities, ethical hackers and security professionals can stay ahead of potential threats, securing their systems before they’re exploited. Keep experimenting with new queries, stay curious, and most importantly, stay vigilant.

In the upcoming articles, we will discuss more about advance google dorks related to the specific bugs, dorks related to other search engine and how we can use them to find vulnerabilities in real world. So, Don’t forget to follow me on Medium and twitter for more exciting content and updates.