While highly efficient, exposing raw database queries directly in the URL string is an older development practice. Modern web development leans toward clean, human-readable URLs (e.g., https://example.com ) through a process called URL rewriting.

Instead of using raw database queries in the URL (like product.php?pk=1 ), use routing frameworks to create clean, human-readable URLs (like /products/shoes ). This hides your database architecture from public view.

An attacker might change the URL to id=1' (adding a single quote). If the website breaks or displays a database error message, it proves the input is directly interacting with the database engine.

"Google Dorking," also known as Google Hacking, is a technique that uses the Google search engine's advanced operators to find specific text strings, security holes, and sensitive information that isn't meant to be publicly accessible. These advanced operators act like filters, narrowing down search results from the billions of indexed pages to find exactly what a searcher is looking for.

A typical vulnerable URL that would appear in the search results for this dork might look like: https://www.example.com/product.php?pk=123&id=1

For a developer, it is a checklist item. If your URLs contain ?id=1 , you must ask yourself: Is that parameter safe? Is the user authorized? Is the database query parameterized?

If the website’s code is poorly written and fails to properly sanitize this input, an attacker can manipulate the URL. For example, they might change id=1 to id=1' (adding a single quote) or id=1 UNION SELECT . If the website displays a database error or behaves unexpectedly, the attacker knows the website is vulnerable to SQL injection. Through SQL injection, attackers can: Steal sensitive user data (passwords, credit card numbers). Bypass authentication screens to access admin panels. Modify, delete, or corrupt database contents. Gain full control over the underlying web server. The Risks to Website Owners

To understand "inurl:pk id=1", you must first understand Google Dorking (also called Google hacking). Google Dorking is the practice of using advanced search operators in the Google search engine to find information that is not easily accessible through standard search queries.

https://example.com/product?pk=123&id=1 https://site.com/view?pk=item&id=1&cat=2

Prevent search engines from indexing sensitive parameter-driven URLs. Use a robots.txt file to disallow indexing on backend structures, dynamic queries, and user account paths. Conclusion

It require pk to be a parameter. It can be part of the path or another parameter:

inurl:pk?id=1 is a powerful but simple Google dork that exposes database-driven web pages. It is a favorite entry point for testing SQL injection and IDOR vulnerabilities. For defenders, it highlights the importance of hiding database structure from URLs and implementing robust input validation and access controls. For ethical hackers, it serves as a starting point for reconnaissance on authorized targets.