Can Search Engine Bots Read PHP?

[HoboTraveler]

Hi All,

Is there any possible way that search engine bots can read and index raw PHP code?

I'm not sure. But, I've read that it is possible to search for code of vulnerable PHP websites through google search.

I guess it is possible to search for PHP code since google indexes raw PHP code?

TIA

[edited by: HoboTraveler at 3:23 pm (utc) on April 30, 2007]

[coopster]

Is there any possible way that search engine bots can read and index raw PHP code?

No, not unless the server did not parse the code before sending it to the browser.

I guess it is possible to search for PHP code since google indexes raw PHP code?

Again, no. Same reason as before.

I've read that it is possible to search for code of vulnerable PHP websites through google search

I think what you might be referring to is cases of vulnerabilities in open source applications where known security issues have been discovered and revealed. Most shops will patch these vulnerabilities immediately.

[jatar_k]

no php code is not indexed because it is never seen by the bot or end user. The php cod eis processed before serving the page.

when people talk about searching for vulnerable sites it usually involves common exploitable script names.

<added>coop was faster but at least we agree ;)