Information Disclosure
Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.
How It Works
Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security. This happens through multiple channels: verbose error messages that display stack traces revealing internal paths and frameworks, improperly secured debug endpoints left active in production, and misconfigured servers that expose directory listings or version control artifacts like .git folders. APIs often leak excessive data in responses—returning full user objects when only a name is needed, or revealing system internals through metadata fields.
Attackers exploit these exposures systematically. They probe for common sensitive files (.env, config.php, backup archives), trigger error conditions to extract framework details, and analyze response timing or content differences to enumerate valid usernames or resources. Even subtle variations—like "invalid password" versus "user not found"—enable account enumeration. Exposed configuration files frequently contain database credentials, API keys, or internal service URLs that unlock further attack vectors.
The attack flow typically starts with passive reconnaissance: examining HTTP headers, JavaScript bundles, and public endpoints for version information and architecture clues. Active probing follows—testing predictable paths, manipulating parameters to trigger exceptions, and comparing responses across similar requests to identify information leakage patterns.
Impact
- Credential compromise: Exposed configuration files, hardcoded secrets in source code, or API keys enable direct authentication bypass
- Attack surface mapping: Stack traces, framework versions, and internal paths help attackers craft targeted exploits for known vulnerabilities
- Data breach: Direct exposure of user data, payment information, or proprietary business logic through oversharing APIs or accessible backups
- Privilege escalation pathway: Internal URLs, service discovery information, and architecture details facilitate lateral movement and SSRF attacks
- Compliance violations: GDPR, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA penalties for exposing regulated data through preventable disclosures
Real-World Examples
A major Git repository exposure affected thousands of websites when .git folders remained accessible on production servers, allowing attackers to reconstruct entire source code histories including deleted commits containing credentials. Tools like GitDumper automated mass exploitation of this misconfiguration.
Cloud storage misconfigurations have repeatedly exposed sensitive data when companies left S3 buckets or Azure Blob containers publicly readable. One incident exposed 150 million voter records because verbose API error messages revealed the storage URL structure, and no authentication was required.
Framework debug modes left enabled in production have caused numerous breaches. Django's DEBUG=True setting exposed complete stack traces with database queries and environment variables, while Laravel's debug pages revealed encryption keys through the APP_KEY variable in environment dumps.
Mitigation
- Generic error pages: Return uniform error messages to users; log detailed exceptions server-side only
- Disable debug modes: Enforce production configurations that suppress stack traces, verbose logging, and debug endpoints through deployment automation
- Access control audits: Restrict or remove development artifacts (
.git, backup files,phpinfo()) and internal endpoints before deployment - Response minimization: API responses should return only necessary fields; implement allowlists rather than blocklists for data exposure
- Security headers: Deploy
X-Content-Type-Options, remove server version banners, and disable directory indexing - Timing consistency: Ensure authentication and validation responses take uniform time regardless of input validity
Recent CVEs (13216)
Fess is a deployable Enterprise Search Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 1.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Permission Assignment vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to misconfigured permissions.
vBulletin versions 5.0.0 through 5.7.5 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.3 are vulnerable to remote code execution through crafted template conditional expressions. Attackers abuse PHP's alternative function invocation syntax to bypass template engine security checks and execute arbitrary PHP code, as actively exploited in the wild in May 2025.
IBM Controller 11.0.0, 11.0.1, and 11.1.0 application could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive credentials that may be inadvertently included within the source code. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
For a short time they PTY is set to mode 666, allowing any user on the system to connect to the screen session. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Screen version 5.0.0 and older version 4 releases have a TOCTOU race potentially allowing to send SIGHUP, SIGCONT to privileged processes when installed setuid-root. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A minor information leak when running Screen with setuid-root privileges allows unprivileged users to deduce information about a path that would otherwise not be available. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in Spotlight Spotlight - Social Media Feeds (Premium) allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.7.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
User enumeration vulnerability in M3M Printer Server Web. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Summer Pearl Group Vacation Rental Management Platform up to 1.0.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Wondershare Filmora 14.5.16. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3). Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in ActiveMQ Artemis. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The data stored in Be-Tech Mifare Classic card is stored in cleartext. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in erdogant pypickle up to 1.1.5. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Mailform Pro CGI prior to 4.3.4 generates error messages containing sensitive information, which may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to obtain coupon codes. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in PerfreeBlog 4.0.11 and classified as problematic. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in yangshare 技术杨工 warehouseManager 仓库管理系统 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in PhonePe App 25.03.21.0 on Android. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in defog-ai introspect up to 0.1.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in DedeCMS 5.7.117. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Tmall Demo up to 20250505. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in Sangfor 零信任访问控制系统 aTrust 2.3.10.60 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3). Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Sony SNC-M1, SNC-M3, SNC-RZ25N, SNC-RZ30N, SNC-DS10, SNC-CS3N and SNC-RX570N up to 1.30. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The eMagicOne Store Manager for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Reads in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.5 via the get_file() function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In the spiral-rs crate 0.2.0 for Rust, allocation can be attempted for a ZST (zero-sized type). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In the memory_pages crate 0.1.0 for Rust, division by zero can occur. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In the anode crate 0.1.0 for Rust, data races can occur in unlock in SpinLock. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In the process-sync crate 0.2.2 for Rust, the drop function lacks a check for whether the pthread_mutex is unlocked. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The process_lock crate 0.1.0 for Rust allows data races in unlock. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A Broken Access Control vulnerability in StrangeBee TheHive 5.2.0 before 5.2.16, 5.3.0 before 5.3.11, and 5.4.0 before 5.4.10 allows remote, authenticated, and unprivileged users to retrieve alerts,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DNN (formerly DotNetNuke) is an open-source web content management platform (CMS) in the Microsoft ecosystem. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
OpenEMR is a free and open source electronic health records and medical practice management application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password vulnerability in Gilblas Ngunte Possi PSW Front-end Login & Registration allows Password Recovery Exploitation.13. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in WPFunnels Mail Mint allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.17.7. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in wpjobportal WP Job Portal allows PHP Local File Inclusion.3.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WPFable Fable Extra allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.6. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Intellian C700 web panel allows you to add firewall rules. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A business logic error in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 12.1 prior to 17.10.7, 17.11 prior to 17.11.3 and 18.0 prior to 18.0.1 where an attacker can cause a branch name confusion. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in TOZED ZLT W51 up to 1.4.2 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Token used for resetting passwords in MegaBIP software are generated using a small space of random values combined with a queryable value. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Stored Absolute Path Traversal vulnerabilities in ASPECT could expose sensitive data if administrator credentials become compromised.*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
gs_lib_ctx_stash_sanitized_arg in base/gslibctx.c in Artifex Ghostscript before 10.05.1 lacks argument sanitization for the # case. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
PrinterShare Android application allows the capture of Gmail authentication tokens that can be reused to access a user's Gmail account without proper authorization. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Ecovacs Home Android and iOS Mobile Applications up to version 3.3.0 contained embedded access keys and secrets for Alibaba Object Storage Service (OSS), leading to sensitive data disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: This CVE ID has been rejected or withdrawn by its CVE Numbering Authority. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: This CVE ID has been rejected or withdrawn by its CVE Numbering Authority. No vendor patch available.
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
zot is ancontainer image/artifact registry based on the Open Container Initiative Distribution Specification. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Schule is open-source school management system software. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Predictable filename vulnerabilities in ASPECT may expose sensitive information to a potential attacker if administrator credentials become compromised*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series:. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Weak password storage vulnerabilities exist in ASPECT if administrator credentials become compromised*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Large content vulnerabilities are present in ASPECT exposing a device to disk overutilization on a system if administrator credentials become compromised*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series:. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Serialized configuration information may be disclosed during device commissioning while using ASPECT's configuration toolset*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive device logger information in ASPECT may be exposed if administrator credentials become compromised*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
One way hash with predictable salt vulnerabilities in ASPECT may expose sensitive information to a potential attacker*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Large content vulnerabilities are present in ASPECT exposing a device to disk overutilization on a system if administrator credentials become compromised*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series:. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DLL's are not digitally signed when loaded in ASPECT's configuration toolset exposing the application to binary planting during device commissioning.*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series:. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
wire-webapp is the web application for the open-source messaging service Wire. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0).
Exposure of file path, file size or file existence vulnerabilities in ASPECT provide attackers access to file system information if session administrator credentials become compromised.08.03; NEXUS. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Port manipulation vulnerabilities in ASPECT provide attackers with the ability to con-trol TCP/IP port access if session administrator credentials become compromised.08.03; NEXUS Series: through. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
File corruption vulnerabilities in ASPECT provide attackers access to overwrite sys-tem files if session administrator credentials become compromised08.03; NEXUS Series: through 3.08.03; MATRIX. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Unchecked Loop Condition in ASPECT provides an attacker the ability to maliciously consume system resources if session administrator credentials become compromised08.03; NEXUS Series: through. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
wire-webapp is the web application for the open-source messaging service Wire. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6). No vendor patch available.
Asterisk is an open-source private branch exchange (PBX). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
IBM Aspera Faspex 5.0.0 through 5.0.12 could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of another user due to client-side enforcement of. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Aspera Faspex 5.0.0 through 5.0.12 could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of another user due to improper protection of. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Absolute File Traversal vulnerabilities in ASPECT allows access and modification of unintended resources.08.03; NEXUS Series: through 3.08.03; MATRIX Series: through 3.08.03. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
CWE-203: Observable Discrepancy. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Packages downloaded by Checkmk's automatic agent updates on Linux and Solaris have incorrect permissions in Checkmk < 2.4.0p1, < 2.3.0p32, < 2.2.0p42 and <= 2.1.0p49 (EOL). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 17.1 before 17.10.7, 17.11 before 17.11.3, and 18.0 before 18.0.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Infoblox NETMRI before 7.6.1 has a vulnerability allowing remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files with root access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions before 17.10.7, 17.11 before 17.11.3, and 18.0 before 18.0.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Issue summary: Use of -addreject option with the openssl x509 application adds a trusted use instead of a rejected use for a certificate. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 18.0 before 18.0.1. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on QNX, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on QNX allows File Manipulation.14.2, before 4.15.1,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of GET Request Method With Sensitive Query Strings vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on Windows, Linux, QNX, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on Windows, Linux, QNX allows Parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Output Neutralization for Logs vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on Windows, Linux, QNX, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on Windows, Linux, QNX allows Input Data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Handling of Windows ::DATA Alternate Data Stream vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on Windows, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on Windows allows Input Data Manipulation.14.2,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Use of Validation Framework vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on Windows, Linux, QNX, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on Windows, Linux, QNX allows Input Data Manipulation.14.2,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Observable Response Discrepancy vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on Windows, Linux, QNX, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on Windows, Linux, QNX allows Cryptanalysis.14.2, before 4.15.1,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Cryptographic Step vulnerability in Tridium Niagara Framework on Windows, Linux, QNX, Tridium Niagara Enterprise Security on Windows, Linux, QNX allows Cryptanalysis.14.2, before 4.15.1,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.