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 (13356)
External control of file name or path in .NET, Visual Studio, and Build Tools for Visual Studio allows an authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: ** REJECT ** DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
ColdFusion versions 2025.1, 2023.13, 2021.19 and earlier are affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could result in arbitrary file system read. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
ColdFusion versions 2025.1, 2023.13, 2021.19 and earlier are affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could result in arbitrary file system read. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Stager versions 3.1.1 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect initialization of resource in the branch prediction unit for some Intel(R) Core™ Ultra Processors may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via local. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via adjacent access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper initialization in the UEFI firmware for the Intel(R) Server D50DNP and M50FCP boards may allow a privileged user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information caused by shared microarchitectural predictor state that influences transient execution for some Intel(R) Core™ processors (10th Generation) may allow an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7). No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read for some Intel(R) Graphics Drivers may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure or denial of service via local access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in the BackupBiosUpdate UEFI firmware SmiVariable driver for the Intel(R) Server D50DNP and M50FCP boards before version R01.02.0003 may allow a privileged user to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.1). No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read for some Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software for Windows before version 23.100 may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via adjacent access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient control flow management for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow a privileged user to potentially enable information disclosure via adjacent access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor for some Edge Orchestrator software for Intel(R) Tiber™ Edge Platform may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect behavior order for some Intel(R) Core™ Ultra Processors may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via physical access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in the UEFI firmware GenerationSetup module for the Intel(R) Server D50DNP and M50FCP boards may allow a privileged user to potentially enable information disclosure via. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information caused by shared microarchitectural predictor state that influences transient execution in the indirect branch predictors for some Intel(R) Processors may allow an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7). No vendor patch available.
Exposure of sensitive information caused by shared microarchitectural predictor state that influences transient execution for some Intel Atom(R) processors may allow an authenticated user to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7). No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read for some Intel(R) Graphics Driver software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of Sensitive Information in Shared Microarchitectural Structures during Transient Execution for some Intel(R) Processors may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7). No vendor patch available.
In ZKT ZKBio CVSecurity 6.4.1_R an unauthenticated attacker can craft JWT token using the hardcoded secret to authenticate to the service console. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows CLFS Driver contains an input validation flaw enabling local privilege escalation, yet another CLFS kernel vulnerability in the May 2025 Patch Tuesday.
Out-of-bounds read in Microsoft Office Outlook allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient granularity of access control in Visual Studio allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive data storage in improperly locked memory in Remote Desktop Gateway Service allows an unauthorized attacker to deny service over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Microsoft Office Excel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft PC Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Integer underflow (wrap or wraparound) in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over an adjacent network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Web Threat Defense (WTD.sys) allows an unauthorized attacker to deny service over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Windows Fundamentals allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) allows an authorized attacker to deny service over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of uninitialized resource in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of uninitialized resource in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Universal Print Management Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows File Server allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information locally. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Installer allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of uninitialized resource in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of uninitialized resource in Windows Trusted Runtime Interface Driver allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient permissions or privileges in Microsoft Dataverse allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
External control of file name or path in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Files or directories accessible to external parties in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Flask is a web server gateway interface (WSGI) web application framework. Rated low severity (CVSS 1.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Actualizer is a single shell script solution to allow developers and embedded engineers to create Debian operating systems (OS). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in OXID eShop before 7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions vulnerability in Phoenix SecureCore Technology 4 allows Input Data Manipulation.0.1.0 before 4.0.1.1018, from 4.1.0.1 before 4.1.0.573, from. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A junction point vulnerability within AMD uProf can allow a local low-privileged attacker to create junction points, potentially resulting in arbitrary file deletion or disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2) (All versions with SINEMA Remote Connect Edge Client installed). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2) (All versions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2) (All versions < V4.0 HF0). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2) (All versions < V4.0 HF0). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2) (All versions < V4.0 HF0). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Mendix OIDC SSO (Mendix 10 compatible) (All versions < V4.1.0), Mendix OIDC SSO (Mendix 10.12 compatible) (All versions < V4.0.1), Mendix OIDC SSO (Mendix 9. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS neo V4.1 (All versions < V4.1 Update 3), SIMATIC PCS neo V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 Update 1). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Teamcenter Visualization V14.3 (All versions < V14.3.0.14), Teamcenter Visualization V2312 (All versions < V2312.0010), Teamcenter Visualization V2406 (All. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in IEC 1Ph 7.4kW Child socket (8EM1310-2EH04-0GA0) (All versions < V2.135), IEC 1Ph 7.4kW Child socket/ shutter (8EM1310-2EN04-0GA0) (All versions < V2.135), IEC. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS neo V4.1 (All versions), SIMATIC PCS neo V5.0 (All versions), SINEC NMS (All versions < V4.0), SINEMA Remote Connect (All versions), Totally. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS neo V4.1 (All versions), SIMATIC PCS neo V5.0 (All versions), SINEC NMS (All versions < V4.0), SINEMA Remote Connect (All versions), Totally. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIRIUS 3RK3 Modular Safety System (MSS) (All versions), SIRIUS Safety Relays 3SK2 (All versions). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIRIUS 3RK3 Modular Safety System (MSS) (All versions), SIRIUS Safety Relays 3SK2 (All versions). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIRIUS 3RK3 Modular Safety System (MSS) (All versions), SIRIUS Safety Relays 3SK2 (All versions). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The bitnami/pgpool Docker image, and the bitnami/postgres-ha k8s chart, under default configurations, comes with an 'repmgr' user that allows unauthenticated access to the database inside the. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in Polarion V2310 (All versions), Polarion V2404 (All versions < V2404.2). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An unauthenticated remote attacker could use a demo account of the portal to hijack devices that were created in that account by mistake. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cloud Foundry UAA release versions from v77.21.0 to v7.31.0 are vulnerable to a private key exposure in logs. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.0). No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
SAP GUI for Windows allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit insecure obfuscation algorithms used by the GuiXT application to store user credentials. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP S/4 HANA allows an authenticated attacker with user privileges to configure a field not intended for their access and create a custom UI layout displaying this field. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
SAP S4CORE OData meta-data property allows an authenticated attacker to access restricted information due to missing authorization check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Under certain conditions, SAP Gateway Client allows a high-privileged user to access restricted information beyond the scope of the application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver is vulnerable to an Information Disclosure vulnerability caused by the injection of malicious instructions into user configuration settings. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Live Auction Cockpit in SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) uses a deprecated java applet component within the affected SRM packages which allows an unauthenticated attacker to send an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved input sanitization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed through improved state management. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.