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 (67663)
The BetterDocs plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 4.3.3 via the scripts() function. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
The weDocs plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 2.1.15 via the `/wp-json/wp/v2/docs/settings` REST API endpoint. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
KAYSUS KS-WR3600 routers with firmware 1.0.5.9.1 mishandle configuration management. Once any user is logged in and maintains an active session, an attacker can directly query the backup endpoint and download a full configuration archive. [CVSS 8.8 HIGH]
The ECDSA implementation of the Elliptic package generates incorrect signatures if an interim value of 'k' (as computed based on step 3.2 of RFC 6979 https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc6979 ) has leading zeros and is susceptible to cryptanalysis, which can lead to secret key exposure. [CVSS 5.6 MEDIUM]
PHP Local File Inclusion in G5Theme Handmade Framework versions up to 3.9 enables authenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on the server through improper validation of include/require statements. An attacker with valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, source code, or other protected data without requiring user interaction. No patch is currently available for this vulnerability.
Veeam allows Backup or Tape Operators to write files as root on the server. An operator-level role achieving root file write is a severe privilege escalation with scope change.
A Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters vulnerability in Foomuuri can lead to integrity loss of the firewall configuration or further unspecified impact by manipulating the JSON configuration passed to `nft`. This issue affects Foomuuri: from ? before 0.31.
An External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability in smb4k allowsl ocal users to perform a local root exploit via smb4k mounthelper if they can access and control the contents of a Samba shareThis issue affects smb4k: from ? before 4.0.5.
OWASP Core Rule Set (CRS) before 4.22.0 and 3.3.8 has a bug in rule 922110 that allows WAF bypass on multipart requests. The rule's capture variables get overwritten when processing multiple parts, allowing SQL injection and other attacks to slip through. PoC available, patch available.
Asseco InfoMedica is a comprehensive solution used to manage both administrative and medical tasks in the healthcare sector. Passwords of all users are stored in a database in an encoded format.
A flaw was found in Ansible Automation Platform (AAP). Read-only scoped OAuth2 API Tokens in AAP, are enforced at the Gateway level for Gateway-specific operations. [CVSS 8.5 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Mikado-Themes Wellspring wellspring allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Wellspring: from n/a through < 2.8. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in AITpro BulletProof Security bulletproof-security allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects BulletProof Security: from n/a through <= 6.9. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in zozothemes Corpkit corpkit allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Corpkit: from n/a through <= 2.0. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Neo Ocular WordPress theme (before 1.2) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control in include/require statements.
Typify WordPress theme (through 3.0.2) allows PHP Local File Inclusion via improper filename control.
Mitech WordPress theme (through 2.3.4) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control in include/require statements.
Moody WordPress theme (through 2.7.3) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control.
Atlas WordPress theme (through 2.1.0) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control in PHP include statements.
When doing SSH-based transfers using either SCP or SFTP, and setting the known_hosts file, libcurl could still mistakenly accept connecting to hosts *not present* in the specified file if they were added as recognized in the libssh *global* known_hosts file. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
Navian WordPress theme (through 1.5.4) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control.
Brook WordPress theme (through 2.8.9) allows PHP Local File Inclusion via improper filename control in PHP include statements.
AeroLand WordPress theme (through 1.6.6) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control. Unauthenticated RCE possible via include chain.
Oshine WordPress theme (through 7.2.7) allows PHP Local File Inclusion via improper filename control in include/require statements.
OchaHouse WordPress theme (through 2.2.8) allows PHP Local File Inclusion via improper filename control. Same vulnerability class as CVE-2025-12549.
Rozy Flower Shop WordPress theme (through 1.2.25) allows PHP Local File Inclusion through improper filename control in include/require statements. Unauthenticated RCE possible.
Keycloak's Authorization header parser improperly tolerates non-RFC 6750 compliant formatting, including tabs and case variations in Bearer token authentication. This lax validation could enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms or manipulate token validation logic in applications relying on strict Bearer token parsing. No patch is currently available for this medium-severity vulnerability.
n8n workflow automation (1.65.0 to 1.121.0) allows unauthenticated file access through form-based workflows. A critical CVSS 10.0 vulnerability enabling remote attackers to read sensitive files from the server, with potential for further compromise. PoC available.
Facesentry Access Control System Firmware versions up to 5.7.0 is affected by cleartext transmission of sensitive information (CVSS 5.9).
FLIR Thermal Camera F/FC/PT/D firmware version 8.0.0.64 contains an information disclosure vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files through unverified input parameters. [CVSS 6.2 MEDIUM]
Uncontrolled resource consumption in the Python urllib3 HTTP client library (versions 1.22 through 2.6.2) lets a malicious or compromised server crash or exhaust memory on the client by serving a compressed redirect response. When an application streams from an untrusted source with preload_content=False and has not disabled redirects, urllib3 eagerly drains and decompresses the entire redirect body before any read call, ignoring configured read limits, leaving no defense against decompression bombs. EPSS is low (0.03%), there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis, and it is not in CISA KEV, but the bug is broadly reachable given urllib3's ubiquity.
Supply-chain integrity bypass in pnpm package manager (versions ≤10.26.2, per description; GHSA states <10.26.0) allows malicious package authors to serve different tarball content on each install because HTTP/HTTPS tarball and git-hosted tarball dependencies are recorded in the lockfile without integrity hashes. Publicly available exploit code exists in the GHSA-7vhp-vf5g-r2fw advisory PoC, though EPSS remains low at 0.01% and the issue is not on CISA KEV. Any project transitively depending on a package that uses an HTTP/git tarball is exposed, and a committed lockfile offers no protection.
Panda3D egg-mkfont up to version 1.10.16 contains a format string vulnerability in the -gp command-line option that allows attackers to read arbitrary stack memory and leak pointer values by injecting format specifiers into generated .egg and .png files. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, and no patch is currently available. This affects all users of the egg-mkfont utility who process untrusted input.
An unused webshell in MicroServer allows unlimited login attempts, with sudo rights on certain files and directories. [CVSS 8.0 HIGH]
MicroServer copies parts of the system firmware to an unencrypted external SD card on boot, which contains user and vendor secrets. An attacker can utilize these plaintext secrets to modify the vendor firmware, or gain admin access to the web portal. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
As the service interaction is performed without authentication, an attacker with some knowledge of the protocol could obtain information about the charger via OCPP v1.6.
An attacker with a network connection could detect credentials in clear text.
The credentials required to access the device's web server are sent in base64 within the HTTP headers. Since base64 is not considered a strong cipher, an attacker could intercept the web request handling the login and obtain the credentials
The lack of hardening of the system allows the user used to manage and maintain the charger to consult different files containing clear-text credentials or valuable information for an attacker.
A stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Perch CMS version 3.2. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can inject malicious JavaScript code into the “Help button url” setting within the admin panel. [CVSS 6.1 MEDIUM]
Undertow HTTP server (used in WildFly, JBoss EAP) fails to validate Host headers, enabling cache poisoning, internal network scanning, and session hijacking. Affects a widely-used Java application server component.
Authentication bypass in OpenFlagr (the openflagr/flagr feature-flag service) versions up to and including 1.1.18 lets remote unauthenticated attackers reach protected API endpoints by exploiting flawed path normalization in the HTTP middleware's prefix whitelist. Attackers can read and modify feature flags and export sensitive configuration data with no credentials. A public technical writeup ('0day speedrun') exists, but there is no public exploit identified as weaponized and no active exploitation has been confirmed; EPSS is low at 0.13%.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Group Hope charity-is-hope allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Hope: from n/a through 3.0.0. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in JanStudio Gecko allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Gecko: from n/a through 1.9.8. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Information disclosure when a weak hashed value is returned to userland code in response to a IOCTL call to obtain a session ID. [CVSS 5.5 MEDIUM]
Cryptographic issue may occur while encrypting license data. [CVSS 8.4 HIGH]
Information disclosure while processing a firmware event. [CVSS 6.1 MEDIUM]
Bigfix Insights For Vulnerability Remediation versions up to 4.2 is affected by information exposure (CVSS 2.2).
The MoneySpace plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 2.13.9. [CVSS 8.6 HIGH]
The ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.4. This is due to the Google Analytics client_ID and client_secret being stored in plaintext in the publicly visible plugin source. This can allow unauthenticated attackers to craft a link to the sharethis.com server, which will share an authorization token for Google Analytics with a malicious website, if the attacker can trick an adminis...
Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere vulnerability in EngoTheme Plant - Gardening & Houseplants WordPress Theme allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects Plant - Gardening & Houseplants WordPress Theme: from n/a through 1.0.0. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
On affected platforms running Arista EOS with MACsec configuration, a specially crafted packet can cause the MACsec process to terminate unexpectedly. Continuous receipt of these packets with certain MACsec configurations can cause longer term disruption of dataplane traffic. [CVSS 4.3 MEDIUM]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Mojoomla WPCHURCH allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects WPCHURCH: from n/a through 2.7.0. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Jwsthemes Issabella allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Issabella: from n/a through 1.1.2. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes Frappé allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Frappé: from n/a through 1.8. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Bravia Signage contains a vulnerability that allows attackers to access sensitive system details through API endpoints (CVSS 7.5).
RED-V Super Digital Signage System 5.1.1 contains an information disclosure vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive webserver log files. Attackers can visit multiple endpoints to retrieve system resources and debug log information without authentication. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
iDS6 DSSPro Digital Signage System 6.2 contains a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that allows remote attackers to intercept authentication credentials through cleartext cookie transmission. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
QiHang Media Web Digital Signage 3.0.9 contains a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that allows remote attackers to intercept user authentication credentials through cleartext cookie transmission. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Local attackers can exploit a type confusion vulnerability in iccDEV 2.3.1.1 and earlier during XML curve serialization to cause denial of service or achieve information disclosure. The flaw exists in the CIccSingleSampledeCurveXml class and affects systems using vulnerable versions of the ICC color management library. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, though a patch is available in version 2.3.1.2.
Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme (WordPress plugin) versions up to 2.17.13 is affected by information exposure (CVSS 5.3).
The Appointment Booking Calendar - Simply Schedule Appointments Booking Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.6.9.5 via the hash() function due to use of a hardcoded fall-back salt. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to generate a valid token across sites running the plugin that have not manually set a salt in the wp-config.php file and access booking information that will allow them to make modifi...
Pterodactyl is a free, open-source game server management panel. Versions 1.11.11 and below do not revoke active SFTP connections when a user is removed from a server instance or has their permissions changes with respect to file access over SFTP. [CVSS 5.4 MEDIUM]
Crypt::Sodium::XS for Perl bundles a vulnerable version of libsodium (<= 1.0.20) that has a signature verification flaw. In atypical use cases with custom cryptography, this can compromise data authenticity guarantees. Patch available.
AIOHTTP is an asynchronous HTTP client/server framework for asyncio and Python. Versions 3.13.2 and below allow a zip bomb to be used to execute a DoS against the AIOHTTP server. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Craft CMS (5.0.0-RC1 through 5.8.20, 3.x through 4.16.16) allows unauthenticated users to trigger database backup operations, leading to resource exhaustion or information disclosure if backups are stored in accessible locations. PoC available, patches available.
Craft is a platform for creating digital experiences. In versions 5.0.0-RC1 through 5.8.20 and 4.0.0-RC1 through 4.16.16, authenticated users on a Craft installation could potentially expose sensitive assets via their user profile photo via maliciously crafted requests. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
Dify is an open-source LLM app development platform. Prior to version 1.11.0, the API key is exposed in plaintext to the frontend, allowing non-administrator users to view and reuse it. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
Coolify is an open-source and self-hostable tool for managing servers, applications, and databases. In Coolify versions up to and including v4.0.0-beta.434, an attacker can initiate a password reset for a victim, and modify the host header of the request to a malicious value. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Rejected reason: DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
Coolify versions up to 4.0.0 contains a vulnerability that allows attackers to a malicious actor to perform an unauthorized email address change on behalf of t (CVSS 5.7).
An issue was discovered in the Camera in Samsung Mobile Processor and Wearable Processor Exynos 1330, 1380, 1480, 2400, 1580, and 2500. Improper validation of user-space input in the issimian device driver leads to information disclosure and a denial of service. [CVSS 7.1 HIGH]
Improper Validation of Specified Quantity in Input vulnerability in SaasProject Booking Package allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs.This issue affects Booking Package: from n/a through 1.6.27. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
An issue in ComfyUI-Manager prior to version 3.38 allowed remote attackers to potentially manipulate its configuration and critical data. This was due to the application storing its files in an insufficiently protected location that was accessible via the web interface [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in jwsthemes FreeAgent allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects FreeAgent: from n/a through 2.1.2. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in Brecht Custom Related Posts allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects Custom Related Posts: from n/a through 1.8.0. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in WP Swings Wallet System for WooCommerce allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects Wallet System for WooCommerce: from n/a through 2.7.2. [CVSS 6.3 MEDIUM]
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in Awethemes AweBooking allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects AweBooking: from n/a through 3.2.26. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Centreon Infra Monitoring (Administration parameters API endpoint modules) allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs, resulting in Information Disclosure like downtime or acknowledgement configurations. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
Rejected reason: ** REJECT ** DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: ** REJECT ** DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
Improper authorization in the saveUserRole request handler of yeqifu Warehouse allows authenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user role functionality and modify permissions. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, and no patch is currently available. The flaw affects Java-based Warehouse deployments using the affected commit and earlier versions.
Petlibro versions up to 1.7.31 contains a vulnerability that allows attackers to access other users' pet data by exploiting missing ownership verification (CVSS 6.5).
Petlibro Smart Pet Feeder Platform versions up to 1.7.31 contains an information disclosure vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to device hardware information by exploiting insecure API endpoints. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
Petlibro Smart Pet Feeder Platform versions up to 1.7.31 contains an information disclosure vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to private audio recordings by exploiting sequential audio IDs and insecure assignment endpoints. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
AnythingLLM's password recovery endpoint leaks information about valid usernames through differential error messages, enabling account enumeration attacks. Public exploit code exists for this low-complexity network vulnerability that requires no authentication. The issue has been patched as of commit e287fab56089cf8fcea9ba579a3ecdeca0daa313.
A vulnerability in Nuvation Energy nCloud VPN Service allowed Network Boundary Bridging.This issue affected the nCloud VPN Service and was fixed on 2025-12-1 (December, 2025). End users do not have to take any action to mitigate the issue.