Bug Bounty Guide: Finding and Exploiting Leaked .git/ Directories

In this blog, we’ll look at how exposed .git/ directories can lead to critical information leaks. You’ll learn how to detect them, analyze their contents, and extract useful data during bug bounty or pentest engagements.

The .git/ folder is the core of any Git project, it holds commit history, file contents, configuration, and even deleted data. When this directory is exposed due to a misconfiguration, it can leak the full source code, sensitive credentials, and internal logic. For bug bounty hunters, this kind of exposure can lead to serious $$$$ if exploited and reported right.

What is a .git/ directory?

.git/
├── config           # Repo configuration
├── HEAD             # Points to current branch
├── objects/         # All data objects (commits, files, dirs)
│   └── [sha1 split] # Stored using hashed names
├── refs/            # Branches and tags
└── index            # Staging area

The .git/ directory is the core folder that Git uses to manage a project's entire version history. It contains all the metadata, commit history, and actual file contents tracked by Git.

Key Components Inside .git/