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Top 10 Google Dorks for Bug Bounty Hunters

2026.01.05 TECHNICAL_GUIDE ADMIN

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Google Dorking is a staple in the reconnaissance phase of any Bug Bounty program. Before you launch Burp Suite or Nmap, you should always check what the target has already leaked to the public index.

Below is the classified list of the most effective queries for identifying low-hanging vulnerabilities.

1. Exposed Environment Files

The .env file is the holy grail. It often contains API keys, database credentials, and debug settings.

PAYLOAD_01 filetype:env "DB_PASSWORD" site:example.com

2. Public Log Files

Log files can leak user data, internal IP addresses, and system pathways.

PAYLOAD_02 filetype:log OR filetype:txt intext:"password" site:example.com

3. SQL Database Dumps

Developers sometimes leave backups in public directories containing schema and data.

PAYLOAD_03 filetype:sql intext:"INSERT INTO" site:example.com

4. Directory Listing

Misconfigured servers listing all files, allowing file system browsing.

PAYLOAD_04 intitle:"index of /" "parent directory" site:example.com

5. Config Files (XML/CONF)

Reveal server versions and internal network architecture.

PAYLOAD_05 filetype:xml OR filetype:conf intext:password site:example.com

6. Exposed Git Repositories

Finding a .git folder exposes the entire version history.

PAYLOAD_06 inurl:/.git site:example.com

7. WordPress User Enumeration

Find hidden WordPress login pages or author archives.

PAYLOAD_07 inurl:wp-content OR inurl:wp-includes site:example.com

8. PHP Errors

Forcing Google to find crashing pages reveals absolute paths.

PAYLOAD_08 filetype:php intext:"fatal error" site:example.com

9. Public S3 Buckets

Google indexes open Amazon S3 buckets containing sensitive data.

PAYLOAD_09 site:s3.amazonaws.com "company-name"

10. Login Portals

Finding the admin panel is step one to testing authentication.

PAYLOAD_10 inurl:login OR inurl:admin OR intitle:"login" site:example.com

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