Google Search has finally fixed a long-standing bug which allowed anyone to manipulate search results and spread misinformation.
Originally detailed in 2017 by UK-based security expert, Wietze Beukema, the bug let users exploit the “Knowledge Panels” that appear alongside some search results. These queries generate URLs with the kgmid and kponly parameters that tell Google to display the Knowledge Graphs/Panels along with the standard search results.
According to Beukema, these parameters, which decide the content to be displayed within the panes, could be easily copy-pasted, swapped or added to any other search URL to create completely unrelated Knowledge Panels, potentially confusing and/or misinforming users. The image above shows rapper ‘Snoop Dog’ in the manipulated Knowledge Cards for a search on ’Who is the US President’.
The flaw now seems to have been fixed, with the manipulated URLs returning a message that reads – “Your search did not match any documents”.
Featured Image Courtesy: TechCrunch