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 (74738)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: fix use-after-free warning in btrfs_get_or_create_delayed_node() Previously, btrfs_get_or_create_delayed_node() set the delayed_node's refcount before acquiring the root->delayed_nodes lock. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]
An unauthenticated information disclosure vulnerability in Newgen OmniApp allows attackers to enumerate valid privileged usernames via a publicly accessible client-side JavaScript resource. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Cargus eCommerce versions 1.5.8 and earlier expose sensitive data in outbound communications due to improper information handling, allowing remote unauthenticated attackers to retrieve embedded sensitive information. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and carries a CVSS score of 5.3, though no patch is currently available.
The B Accordion WordPress plugin through version 2.0.0 exposes sensitive data in transmitted communications due to improper handling of embedded information. An authenticated attacker can intercept and retrieve this sensitive data, potentially compromising confidential information. No patch is currently available for this vulnerability.
CRM Perks Integration for Contact Form 7 HubSpot cf7-hubspot contains a security vulnerability (CVSS 5.4).
WEN Solutions Contact Form 7 GetResponse Extension contact-form-7-getresponse-extension contains a security vulnerability (CVSS 5.3).
Dotstore Fraud Prevention For Woocommerce woo-blocker-lite-prevent-fake-orders-and-blacklist-fraud-customers contains a security vulnerability (CVSS 4.3).
Webpushr web push notification plugin versions 4.38.0 and earlier expose sensitive embedded system data to unauthorized parties through an information disclosure vulnerability. An unauthenticated remote attacker can retrieve this sensitive information without user interaction, potentially compromising system configuration details and credentials. No patch is currently available.
WP FullCalendar through version 1.6 exposes sensitive system information to unauthenticated remote attackers, allowing them to retrieve embedded data without authentication. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin and requires no user interaction to exploit. No patch is currently available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: properly keep track of conduit reference Problem description ------------------- DSA has a mumbo-jumbo of reference handling of the conduit net device and its kobject which, sadly, is just wrong and doesn't make sense. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: Fix refcount leak when invalid session is found on session lookup When a session is found but its state is not SMB2_SESSION_VALID, It indicates that no valid session was found, but it is missing to decrement the reference count acquired by the session lookup, which results in a reference count leak. [CVSS 5.5 MEDIUM]
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_conncount: fix leaked ct in error paths There are some situations where ct might be leaked as error paths are skipping the refcounted check and return immediately. [CVSS 5.5 MEDIUM]
An unauthenticated information disclosure vulnerability exists in Newgen OmniDocs due to missing authentication and access control on the /omnidocs/GetListofCabinet API endpoint. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: phy: isp1301: fix non-OF device reference imbalance A recent change fixing a device reference leak in a UDC driver introduced a potential use-after-free in the non-OF case as the isp1301_get_client() helper only increases the reference count for the returned I2C device in the OF case. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]
A product by Birebir has weak authentication with improper rate limiting on login attempts and insecure password recovery, enabling brute-force attacks and account takeover.
Elastic Cloud Storage versions up to 3.8.1.7 is affected by cleartext storage of sensitive information (CVSS 5.5).
Elastic Cloud Storage versions up to 3.8.1.7 is affected by inclusion of sensitive information in source code (CVSS 4.4).
Elastic Cloud Storage versions up to 3.8.1.7 is affected by cleartext transmission of sensitive information (CVSS 6.5).
Dell Data Protection Advisor, versions prior to 19.12, contains an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerability in the Server. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Information exposure. [CVSS 4.3 MEDIUM]
Open WebUI transmits authentication credentials in cleartext over the network, enabling adjacent attackers to intercept and obtain sensitive information without authentication. This information disclosure vulnerability can facilitate unauthorized access and further compromise of affected systems. No patch is currently available.
An authentication weakness was identified in Omada Controllers, Gateways and Access Points, controller-device adoption due to improper handling of random values.
An attacker could decrypt sensitive data, impersonate legitimate users or devices, and potentially gain access to network resources for lateral attacks. [CVSS 6.1 MEDIUM]
Gitea's notification API fails to re-validate repository access permissions when retrieving notification details, allowing users with revoked access to private repositories to continue viewing issue and pull request titles through cached notifications. An authenticated attacker can exploit this to maintain visibility into sensitive repository content after their access has been removed. A patch is available.
The web application does not sufficiently verify inputs that are assumed to be immutable but are actually externally controllable. A low-privileged user can modify the parameters and potentially manipulate account-level privileges.
The fix applied in CVE-2025-22228 inadvertently broke the timing attack mitigation implemented in DaoAuthenticationProvider. This can allow attackers to infer valid usernames or other authentication behavior via response-time differences under certain configurations. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions before 9.13.0.0 fail to adequately log security events, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to tamper with information without leaving a detectable audit trail. The insufficient logging mechanism prevents administrators from identifying unauthorized modifications to system data. No patch is currently available for this medium-severity vulnerability.
POSIMYTH Nexter Blocks the-plus-addons-for-block-editor contains a security vulnerability (CVSS 7.5).
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in goalthemes Rashy rashy allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Rashy: from n/a through <= 1.1.3. [CVSS 8.2 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in goalthemes Lindo lindo allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Lindo: from n/a through <= 1.2.5. [CVSS 8.2 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in goalthemes Bfres bfres allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Bfres: from n/a through <= 1.2.1. [CVSS 8.2 HIGH]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in goalthemes Bailly bailly allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Bailly: from n/a through <= 1.3.4. [CVSS 8.1 HIGH]
Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere vulnerability in ThemeHunk Contact Form & Lead Form Elementor Builder lead-form-builder allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects Contact Form & Lead Form Elementor Builder: from n/a through <= 2.0.1. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in tabbyai Tabby Checkout tabby-checkout allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects Tabby Checkout: from n/a through <= 5.8.4. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in Deetronix Booking Ultra Pro booking-ultra-pro allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects Booking Ultra Pro: from n/a through <= 1.1.23. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in TangibleWP MyHome Core myhome-core allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects MyHome Core: from n/a through <= 4.1.0. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
Dimitri Grassi Salon booking system salon-booking-system contains a security vulnerability (CVSS 6.5).
Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere vulnerability in sizam REHub Framework rehub-framework allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects REHub Framework: from n/a through < 19.9.9.4. [CVSS 4.3 MEDIUM]
Johan Jonk Stenström Cookies and Content Security Policy cookies-and-content-security-policy contains a security vulnerability (CVSS 7.5).
A Local File Inclusion (LFI) and a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability was found in the InsertFromHtmlString() function of the Apryse HTML2PDF SDK thru 11.6.0. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
A WordPress plugin has a PHP Remote File Inclusion vulnerability (CWE-98) that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary remote PHP code on the server.
A WordPress plugin has a PHP Remote File Inclusion vulnerability allowing attackers to include malicious remote PHP files for unauthenticated code execution.
A WordPress plugin has a PHP Remote File Inclusion vulnerability (CWE-98) enabling unauthenticated remote code execution through crafted include paths.
A WordPress plugin has a PHP Remote File Inclusion vulnerability allowing unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary remote PHP files on the server.
An issue in Atomberg Atomberg Erica Smart Fan Firmware Version: V1.0.36 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information and escalate privileges via a crafted deauth frame [CVSS 7.4 HIGH]
Operation And Maintenance Security Management System versions up to 3.0.12. is affected by weak password recovery mechanism for forgotten password (CVSS 5.3).
Neo4j Enterprise edition versions prior to 2025.11.2 and 5.26.17 are vulnerable to a potential information disclosure by an attacker who has some legitimate access to the database.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discord's WebSocket API inadvertently discloses whether users have set their status to Invisible rather than offline by including them in the presences array, contradicting the privacy expectation that Invisible users appear completely offline. An authenticated attacker can exploit this information disclosure to determine the true online status of Discord users. No patch is currently available as of January 2026.
FastAPI Api Key provides a backend-agnostic library that provides an API key system. Version 1.1.0 has a timing side-channel vulnerability in verify_key(). [CVSS 3.7 LOW]
Flux Operator versions 0.36.0 through 0.39.x contain an authentication bypass in the Web UI that allows authenticated users to escalate privileges and execute API requests with the operator's service account permissions. The vulnerability affects deployments where OIDC providers issue incomplete token claims or custom CEL expressions evaluate to empty values, bypassing Kubernetes RBAC impersonation controls. Cluster administrators running affected Flux Operator versions should upgrade to 0.40.0 or later.
Copier versions before 9.11.2 allow local attackers to read arbitrary files outside the template directory by exploiting symlink handling when the default `_preserve_symlinks: false` setting is enabled, bypassing the library's safety guarantees for templates that don't require the unsafe flag. An attacker with local access can leverage this to access sensitive files through a malicious or compromised template. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability.
Everest EV charging software prior to version 2025.9.0 contains an improper pointer arithmetic flaw in error handling where integer values are concatenated to strings, allowing local operators with high privileges to read sensitive memory regions including heap and stack data. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability. The flaw requires user interaction and is resolved in version 2025.9.0, though patches remain unavailable for affected earlier versions.
EVerest is an EV charging software stack. In all versions up to and including 2025.12.1, the default value for `terminate_connection_on_failed_response` is `False`, which leaves the responsibility for session and connection termination to the EV. [CVSS 4.3 MEDIUM]
Lodash versions up to 4.17.22 is affected by improperly controlled modification of object prototype attributes (prototype pollution) (CVSS 5.3).
Realtek Wireless LAN Utility 700.1631 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]
to terminate unexpectedly. This issue affects BIND 9 versions 9.18.40 versions up to 9.18.43 is affected by reachable assertion (CVSS 7.5).
Node.js has a permissions model bypass that allows attackers to circumvent --allow-fs-read and --allow-fs-write restrictions using alternate path representations.
NVIDIA Merlin Transformers4Rec for all platforms contains a vulnerability where an attacker could cause code injection. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, escalation of privileges, information disclosure, and data tampering. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]
NVIDIA Nsight Systems for Windows contains a vulnerability in the application’s DLL loading mechanism where an attacker could cause an uncontrolled search path element by exploiting insecure DLL search paths. [CVSS 6.7 MEDIUM]
NVIDIA Nsight Systems for Linux contains a vulnerability in the .run installer, where an attacker could cause an OS command injection by supplying a malicious string to the installation path. [CVSS 7.3 HIGH]
NVIDIA Nsight Visual Studio for Windows contains a vulnerability in Nsight Monitor where an attacker can execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the NVIDIA Nsight Visual Studio Edition Monitor application. [CVSS 7.3 HIGH]
NVIDIA Nsight Systems contains a vulnerability in the gfx_hotspot recipe, where an attacker could cause an OS command injection by supplying a malicious string to the process_nsys_rep_cli.py script if the script is invoked manually. [CVSS 7.3 HIGH]
Rejected reason: ** REJECT ** DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
MedDream PACS Premium 7.3.6.870 has an arbitrary file read vulnerability in the encapsulatedDoc feature that allows attackers to read sensitive server files including DICOM medical records.
Calling wordexp with WRDE_REUSE in conjunction with WRDE_APPEND in the GNU C Library version 2.0 to version 2.42 may cause the interface to return uninitialized memory in the we_wordv member, which on subsequent calls to wordfree may abort the process. [CVSS 7.5 HIGH]
A security issue was discovered within the legacy Ansible playbook component of Verve Asset Manager, caused by plaintext secrets incorrectly stored when a playbook is running. This component has been retired and has been optional since the 1.36 release in 2024.
A security issue was discovered within the legacy ADI server component of Verve Asset Manager, caused by plaintext secrets stored in environment variables on the ADI server. This component has been retired and has been optional since the 1.36 release in 2024.
Keycloak's OpenID Connect Dynamic Client Registration feature fails to validate jwks_uri values when clients authenticate via private_key_jwt, allowing attackers to redirect the server to arbitrary network endpoints. This enables reconnaissance and information disclosure attacks against internal services and cloud metadata endpoints accessible from the Keycloak server. No patch is currently available for this MEDIUM severity vulnerability.
The LearnPress - WordPress LMS Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in versions up to, and including, 4.3.2.4 via the get_item_permissions_check function. [CVSS 5.3 MEDIUM]
ImageMagick versions prior to 7.1.2-13 fail to properly initialize buffer elements in the BilateralBlurImage method, leading to invalid pointer dereference and potential denial of service when memory allocation fails. An attacker can exploit this through network vectors to crash affected applications or trigger undefined behavior with high complexity requirements. A patch is available in version 7.1.2-13 and later.
A vulnerability was detected in MineAdmin 1.x/2.x. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /system/downloadById. [CVSS 3.1 LOW]
A security vulnerability has been detected in MineAdmin 1.x/2.x. Affected is an unknown function of the file /system/getFileInfoById. [CVSS 3.1 LOW]
MineAdmin 1.x and 2.x contains insufficient JWT token verification in the /system/refresh endpoint, allowing authenticated remote attackers to tamper with token data and potentially escalate privileges or bypass security controls. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, and the vendor has not provided a patch despite early notification. Exploitation requires authenticated access and specific conditions, resulting in a medium severity rating with limited immediate impact.
Information disclosure in MineAdmin 1.x/2.x through an exposed Swagger component allows unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive data over the network. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, and no patch is currently available from the vendor despite early notification.
Improper authorization in MineAdmin 1.x/2.x allows authenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access through the View Interface cache component. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability, and the vendor has not provided a patch or response to disclosure requests. An attacker with valid credentials can exploit this to read, modify, or disrupt system operations.