Ethical Hacking Tutorial

Google Dorking Cheat Sheet 2023 (Commands List & Tricks)

Introduction

Thanks to technological advancements, we can find any information on Google. We can use Google search engine to seek any data, resources, and information. No wonder Google has made our lives so easier and hassle-free.

However, there is still a lot of data on Google that we don’t know about. Using a hacking technique called Google Dorking, we can find hidden information within minutes. Many hackers use it to hack into sensitive data and collect crucial information. Hence, it is important for ethical hackers to understand what is Google Dorking and gain a fair understanding to prevent such attacks. 

In this blog post, we will learn about the Google hacker database, Google Dorking commands, and more in detail.

What is Google Dorking?

Google Dorking, or Google Hacking, means using Google search-hacking techniques to hack into sensitive information and sites that are not available in public search results. 

Google Dorking involves using advanced search operators and specific keywords to narrow down search results and discover potentially vulnerable websites, exposed data, or other valuable information. 

For example, users can click on various tags, such as sites or images, to extract information or images from a website. They can also use a Google Dork cheat sheet containing different commands to get specific search results. 

The Google Dorking technique is often used by security professionals, hackers, and researchers to uncover sensitive or hidden information on the internet.

Examples of Google Dorking

Some common examples of Google Dorking queries include:

  • Finding specific file types

You can search for specific file types, such as PDFs, spreadsheets, or databases, using queries like "filetype:pdf" or "filetype:xls."

  • Locating login pages

Queries like "inurl:login" or "intitle:login" can help you find websites with login pages that may be vulnerable to security exploits.

  • Identifying vulnerable devices 

Searches like "intitle:webcamxp inurl:8080" can reveal webcams or other devices with known vulnerabilities.

  • Discovering exposed directories

Queries like "intitle:index.of" can help you find open directories on web servers that may contain sensitive information.

  • Finding specific information on a website

You can use queries to search within a specific website, like "site:example.com keyword" to find information on a particular domain.

What is Google Dorking Used For?

Google Dorking can be used for various purposes, both legitimate and potentially malicious, depending on the intent of the user. 

Here are some common uses of Google Dorking:

1. Information Gathering

Security professionals and researchers use Google Dorking to gather information about websites, servers, and online assets. This can help identify vulnerabilities, assess the security of web applications, and uncover potential threats.

2. Vulnerability Assessment

Security experts may use Google Dorking to identify websites or systems that have known vulnerabilities. This information can be used to alert website owners or organizations to security issues that need to be addressed.

3. Competitive Intelligence

Companies may use Google Dorking to gain insights into the online presence and strategies of their competitors. This can involve finding hidden web pages, identifying keywords, or uncovering marketing tactics.

4. Academic Research

Researchers and academics may use Google Dorking to discover information for their studies and investigations. It can be a valuable tool for finding publicly accessible data and resources.

5. Website Administration

Website administrators and owners can use Google Dorking to check the indexability of their site's content, monitor search engine rankings, and assess the visibility of their web pages.

6. Content Discovery

Content creators and bloggers may use Google Dorking to find specific types of content, such as PDFs, images, or research papers, that are relevant to their work.

7. Cybersecurity and Penetration Testing

Ethical hackers and penetration testers use Google Dorking to identify potential entry points and vulnerabilities in systems and websites as part of security assessments. This helps organizations strengthen their security measures.

8. Privacy Awareness

Individuals concerned about their online privacy may use Google Dorking to see what personal information or data is publicly accessible through search engines and take steps to protect their online presence.

Google Dork Cheatsheet (Commands List)

A Google Dorking cheatsheet is a quick reference guide that provides a list of commonly used Google Dorking commands and operators. Here's a Google Dork cheat sheet for your reference:

Purpose

Google Dorking Command

Find Microsoft Word documents

filetype:doc

Find text documents

filetype:txt

Find PowerPoint presentations

filetype:ppt

Find PDF files

filetype:pdf

Find Excel spreadsheets

filetype:xls

Find open directories on web servers

intitle:"Index of /"

Find Apache default pages

intitle:"Apache2 Debian Default Page"

Find Nginx default pages

intitle:"Welcome to nginx!"

Find open IIS servers

intitle:"Welcome to IIS"

Search for login pages

intitle:"Login" or intitle:"Log In"

Search for directory listings

intitle:"Index of /" or intitle:"Browse Directory"

Find exposed configuration files

intitle:"config.json"

Identify exposed Git repositories

intitle:"index of" inurl:.git

Find vulnerable Apache Tomcat installations

intitle:"Apache Tomcat" intitle:"Administration"

Discover open Jenkins instances

intitle:"Dashboard [Jenkins]"

Search for exposed Subversion repositories

intitle:"Index of /svn"

Find open phpMyAdmin installations

intitle:"phpMyAdmin" or intext:"phpMyAdmin MySQL-Dump"

Locate exposed Microsoft SharePoint documents

intitle:"Microsoft SharePoint" intext:"Sign in to SharePoint"

Find exposed Redis servers

intitle:"Redis" intext:"Server Information"

Search for open Elasticsearch instances

intitle:"Elasticsearch Head"

Discover exposed MongoDB databases

intitle:"MongoDB Server Information"

Identify open CouchDB instances

intitle:"CouchDB - Welcome"

Search for exposed Memcached servers

intitle:"Memcached Server Information"

Find open RDP servers

intitle:"remote desktop inurl:rdweb"

Locate exposed VNC servers

intitle:"VNC viewer for Java"

Find open Telnet servers

intitle:"welcome to" intext:"telnet"

Search for exposed SNMP devices

intitle:"welcome to" intext:"snmp"

Find open SMB shares

intitle:"Index of /smb.conf"

Identify open FTP servers

intitle:"Index of /ftp"

Search for open NFS shares

intitle:"Index of /exports"

Find open network printers

intext:"printer meter"

Search for open VoIP systems

intitle:"Asterisk Management Portal"

Identify exposed AXIS cameras

intitle:"Live View / - AXIS"

Discover unsecured webcams

intitle:"webcamXP 5" inurl:8080

Find open Linksys webcams

intitle:"Linksys Viewer - Login" -inurl:mainFrame

Search for exposed D-Link webcams

intitle:"D-Link" inurl:"/video.htm"

Find open Panasonic IP cameras

intitle:"Panasonic Network Camera"

Locate open Foscam cameras

intitle:"Foscam" intext:"user login"

Identify open Samsung Smart TVs

intext:"SMART TV" inurl:password.txt

Search for open Netgear routers

intitle:"Netgear" intext:"NETGEAR"

Discover open Ubiquiti devices

intext:"Ubiquiti" intitle:"AirOS"

Search for open MikroTik routers

intext:"MikroTik RouterOS" inurl:winbox

Find exposed Siemens SCADA systems

intitle:"Siemens SIMATIC" intext:"Web Server" -inurl:/portal

Locate open Schneider Electric systems

intext:"Schneider Electric" intitle:"PowerLogic Web-

Search for exposed Johnson Controls systems

intitle:"Johnson Controls - WorkPlace" intext:"User name :"

Advanced Google Dorking Commands and Operators

Along with several Google Dork commands and operators, there are some advanced combinations of operators too that you can use to filter search results to maximize efficiency. 

However, you can refer to the Google Hacker database to avoid typing these operators and combinations every time to search for any information. This database contains hundreds of combinations of multiple and advanced operators. 

1. Searching for Vulnerable Webcams

Find webcams with known vulnerabilities: 

intitle:"D-Link" inurl:"/view.htm"

2. Finding Open Elasticsearch Instances with Specific Data

Search for Elasticsearch instances containing specific data: 

intext:"kibana" intitle:"Kibana"

3. Exploring Open MongoDB Instances with Authentication Bypass

Search for MongoDB instances without authentication: 

intext:"MongoDB Server Information" intitle:"MongoDB" -intext:"MongoDB Server Version"

4. Identifying Exposed OpenCV Instances

Search for OpenCV instances with exposed data: 

intitle:"OpenCV Server" inurl:"/cgi-bin/guestimage.html"

5. Finding Exposed InfluxDB Instances

Search for InfluxDB instances with default configurations: 

intitle:"InfluxDB - Admin Interface"

6. Locating Exposed RabbitMQ Management Interfaces

Search for RabbitMQ management interfaces: 

intitle:"RabbitMQ Management"

7. Discovering Exposed Jenkins Builds

Search for Jenkins builds with specific information: 

intitle:"Console Output" intext:"Finished: SUCCESS"

8. Finding Exposed Grafana Dashboards

Search for Grafana dashboards: 

intitle:"Grafana" inurl:"/dashboard/db"

9. Exploring Open NVIDIA Jetson Devices

Search for NVIDIA Jetson devices with open ports: 

intitle:"NVIDIA Jetson" intext:"NVIDIA Jetson"

10. Locating Open Fortinet Devices

Search for Fortinet devices with open interfaces: 

intext:"FortiGate Console" intitle:"Dashboard"

11. Discovering Exposed OpenEMR Installations

Search for OpenEMR installations with specific data: 

intitle:"OpenEMR Login" inurl:"/interface"

12. Finding Exposed Jenkins Script Console:

Search for Jenkins script consoles with default credentials: 

intitle:"Jenkins Script Console" intext:"Run groovy script"

These advanced commands for Google dorking can be useful for specific security assessments and research purposes. Always ensure you have proper authorization and follow ethical guidelines when using advanced Google Dorking commands. Unauthorized or malicious use can have serious legal and ethical consequences.

Google Dorking Tools

Google Dorking tools are software or scripts designed to automate the process of searching for specific information using Google Dorking queries. These tools can help security professionals, researchers, and ethical hackers efficiently discover vulnerabilities and sensitive information on the internet. 

Here are a few Google Dorking tools and resources:

  • Google Hacking Database (GHDB) 

The GHDB is a collection of Google Dorking queries and examples created and maintained by the security community. It serves as a reference for finding information on the internet, including vulnerabilities and exposed data. You can access it at https://www.exploit-db.com/google-hacking-database.

  • Google Dorks Tool 

There are various open-source and commercial tools available that facilitate Google Dorking. These tools often provide a user-friendly interface for constructing and executing Dorking queries. Examples include "DorkMe" and "Google Hacking Database Scraper."

  • Shodan

While not specifically a Google Dorking tool, Shodan is a search engine that focuses on finding internet-connected devices and services. It can be used to discover open ports, exposed services, and vulnerable devices. Shodan provides its own set of search operators to find specific information.

  • Custom Scripts and Automation

Some security professionals and researchers develop custom scripts or automation tools to conduct Google Dorking searches tailored to their specific needs. These scripts can help streamline the process of searching for vulnerabilities and exposed data.

  • Online Vulnerability Scanners

Some web vulnerability scanners incorporate Google Dorking functionality as part of their scanning process. These scanners can automatically use Dorking queries to identify potential security issues on websites and web applications.

Many penetration testing frameworks, such as Metasploit and Burp Suite, include modules or extensions that allow security professionals to integrate Google Dorking into their assessments.

Safety Measures Against Google Dorking Techniques

By now, you must have understood what Google Dorks is and how your data might not be entirely safe on the internet. Therefore, to protect your data from Google hacker tricks, we have a few safety measures for you. These tips will help you safeguard your information to a certain extent. 

Here are safety measures and best practices to defend against Google Dorking:

1. Implement Proper Access Controls

Restrict access to sensitive directories, files, and resources on your web server. Ensure that only authorized users can access them.

2. Use Strong Authentication

Implement strong authentication mechanisms for login pages and admin panels to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Regularly Update and Patch Software

Keep your web server software, content management systems (CMS), and plugins/modules up-to-date. Vulnerabilities in outdated software can be exploited.

4. Employ Security Headers

Use security headers like Content Security Policy (CSP), X-Content-Type-Options, and X-Frame-Options to protect against various web attacks, including clickjacking and data exfiltration.

5. Robots.txt File

Use a robots.txt file to specify which parts of your website should not be indexed by search engines. However, keep in mind that robots.txt is not a foolproof method and may not prevent all search engines from indexing sensitive content.

6. Implement CAPTCHA

Use CAPTCHA mechanisms on login pages to prevent automated brute force attacks.

7. Secure Default Credentials

Change default usernames and passwords for web applications and devices to prevent easy access for attackers.

8. Security Audits and Vulnerability Scans

Regularly conduct security audits and vulnerability scans of your website and web applications to identify and address potential weaknesses.

9. Limit Error Messages

Avoid displaying detailed error messages that could reveal sensitive information about your system or server configuration.

10. Monitor Server Logs

Continuously monitor server logs for suspicious activity, such as repeated login failures or unusual access patterns.

11. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

Deploy WAFs to filter and protect against common web application attacks, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).

12. Educate Staff and Users

Educate your staff and users about the risks of sharing sensitive information online and the importance of not using default credentials.

13. Limit Information Exposure

Minimize the amount of sensitive data that is publicly accessible on your website or web applications. Use appropriate access controls to restrict access to confidential information.

14. Use Network Security Measures

Implement network security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS), to protect your network infrastructure.

15. Incident Response Plan

Develop an incident response plan to address security breaches promptly if they occur.

16. Legal and Compliance Considerations

Comply with legal and regulatory requirements regarding data protection and security, such as GDPR or HIPAA, if applicable to your organization.

Disclaimer: It's important to note that while Google Dorking can serve legitimate and valuable purposes, it can also be misused for malicious activities such as hacking, data breaches, and cyberattacks. Engaging in such activities is illegal and unethical. Responsible and ethical use of Google Dorking is essential to ensure that it is used for constructive and lawful purposes.

Google Dork Cheatsheet FAQs

Google Dorking itself is a legal technique when used for legitimate purposes such as research and ethical hacking. However, using it to access unauthorized information or exploit vulnerabilities without permission is illegal.
Protect your website by implementing proper access controls, using strong authentication, regularly updating software, and monitoring server logs. Refer to the safety measures mentioned earlier for more details.
Yes, Google Dorking can be used for illegal activities, such as finding and exploiting vulnerabilities without permission or accessing unauthorized information. Such activities are both unethical and illegal.
Google Dorking is not hacking in itself; it's a search technique. However, it can be used as part of the information gathering phase of ethical hacking or by malicious actors as a preliminary step in hacking attempts.
If you discover a vulnerability, report it to the website or system owner immediately. Avoid any unauthorized access or exploitation of the vulnerability.
Yes, ethical hackers and security professionals should follow responsible disclosure practices, obtain proper authorization, and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines when using Google Dorking.
Google can't directly prevent Dorking attacks on your website, as it's a search engine. Protecting your website from Dorking and other attacks requires your own security measures and practices.
Yes, there are other search engines like Shodan and specialized tools for information gathering and reconnaissance, depending on your specific needs.
Google Dorking can be used for market research and competitive intelligence to some extent, but it must be done ethically and within legal boundaries.
You can learn Google Dorking through online courses, tutorials, and ethical hacking training programs. Make sure to focus on ethical and responsible use.
While you can use robots.txt and other measures to limit indexing, determined attackers may still find information. The best approach is to ensure your security is robust.
Yes, Google Dorking can be used to find publicly available personal information about individuals, which is why it's important to be cautious about the information you share online.
Organizations can protect sensitive data by implementing proper access controls, encrypting data, and regularly conducting security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Responsible disclosure involves reporting any vulnerabilities or sensitive information discovered through Google Dorking to the relevant parties, allowing them to address the issue before it's publicly disclosed.
Yes, cybersecurity professionals use Google Dorking as part of their threat intelligence and research activities to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats.
Individuals should regularly review and limit the information they share online, use strong and unique passwords, and be cautious about sharing personal details on public websites and social media.
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