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 (68396)
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker with privilege level 15 to elevate privileges to root on the underlying operating system of an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in certificate validation processing of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly Cisco SD-WAN vManage, could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to gain access to sensitive. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the bootstrap loading of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to write arbitrary files to an affected system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager, formerly Cisco SD-WAN vManage, could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain privileges of the root user on the underlying. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
JRuby-OpenSSL is an add-on gem for JRuby that emulates the Ruby OpenSSL native library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
syslog-ng is an enhanced log daemo. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in tggfref WP-Recall allows PHP Local File Inclusion.26.14. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition') vulnerability in Ays Pro Poll Maker allows Leveraging Race Conditions.7.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere vulnerability in weDevs weMail allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.14.13. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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 Xylus Themes XT Event Widget for Social Events allows PHP Local File. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in fullworks Display Eventbrite Events allows PHP Local File Inclusion. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Ruben Garcia GamiPress allows PHP Local File Inclusion.3.7. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in nicdark Hotel Booking allows PHP Local File Inclusion.6. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in PublishPress PublishPress Authors allows PHP Local File Inclusion.7.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Ashan Perera EventON allows PHP Local File Inclusion.4.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Greg Winiarski WPAdverts allows PHP Local File Inclusion.2.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WP Chill Download Monitor allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.22. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: This CVE ID has been rejected or withdrawn by its CVE Numbering Authority. No vendor patch available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net_sched: keep alloc_hash updated after hash allocation In commit 599be01ee567 ("net_sched: fix an OOB access in cls_tcindex") I. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager 6.1.0, 6.2.0, 6.2.2 JWT secret is stored in public Helm Charts and is not stored as a Kubernetes secret. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in PENUP prior to version 3.9.19.32 allows local attackers to access files with PENUP privilege. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of implicit intent for sensitive communication in translation in Samsung Notes prior to version 4.4.29.23 allows local attackers to get sensitive information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds read in applying binary of text content in Samsung Notes prior to version 4.4.29.23 allows attackers to read out-of-bounds memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Export of Android Application Components in AODService prior to version 8.8.28.12 allows local attackers to launch arbitrary activity with systemui privilege. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper verification of intent by broadcast receiver in Samsung Flow prior to version 4.9.17.6 allows local attackers to modify Samsung Flow configuration. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in Samsung Flow prior to version 4.9.17.6 allows local attackers to access data within Samsung Flow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in Bixby Vision prior to version 3.8.1 in Android 13, 3.8.3 in Android 14, 3.8.21 in Android 15 allows local attackers to access image files with Bixby Vision privilege. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in Samsung Gallery prior to version 14.5.10.3 in Global Android 13, 14.5.09.3 in China Android 13, and 15.5.04.5 in Android 14 allows local attackers to access data within. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in Samsung Gallery prior to version 14.5.10.3 in Global Android 13, 14.5.09.3 in China Android 13, and 15.5.04.5 in Android 14 allows remote attackers to access data and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in Samsung Gallery prior to version 14.5.10.3 in Global Android 13, 14.5.09.3 in China Android 13, and 15.5.04.5 in Android 14 allows attackers to read and write arbitrary. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in Samsung Gallery prior to version 14.5.10.3 in Global Android 13, 14.5.09.3 in China Android 13, and 15.5.04.5 in Android 14 allows physical attackers to access data across. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient permission in Bixby wakeup prior to version 2.3.74.8 allows local attackers to access sensitive data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient permission in SpenGesture service prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to track the S Pen position. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient permission or privileges in sepunion service prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local privileged attackers to access files with system privilege. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient permission in CocktailBarService prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to use the privileged api. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of implicit intent for sensitive communication in Wi-Fi P2P service prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to access sensitive information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper verification of intent by broadcast receiver in UnifiedWFC prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to manipulate VoWiFi related behaviors. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in SmartManagerCN prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to launch arbitrary activities with SmartManagerCN privilege. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper export of android application components in Settings in Galaxy Watch prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows physical attackers to access developer settings. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Export of Android Application Components in NotificationHistoryImageProvider prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to access notification images. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of implicit intent for sensitive communication in EnrichedCall prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to access sensitive information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in SmartManagerCN prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to launch activities within SmartManagerCN. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in unpack_response (conn.c) in libplctag from 2.0 through 2.6.3 allows Overread Buffers via network. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in unpack_response (session.c) in libplctag from 2.0 through 2.6.3 allows Overread Buffers via network. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Download Manager and Payment Form WordPress Plugin - WP SmartPay plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in versions 1.1.0 to 2.7.13 via the show() function due to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The PGS Core plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 5.8.0 via deserialization of untrusted input in the 'import_header' function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability in Crestron Automate VX allows Sniffing Network Traffic. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Crestron Automate VX allows Functionality Misuse. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Crestron Automate VX allows Functionality Misuse. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Quarkus in the quarkus-security-webauthn module. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
phpgt/Dom provides access to modern DOM APIs. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The identity infrastructure software ZITADEL offers developers the ability to manage user sessions using the Session API. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Improper certificate validation in Logstash's TCP output could lead to a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack in “client” mode, as hostname verification in TCP output was not being performed when the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Umbraco is a free and open source .NET content management system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
The MQTT add-on of PcVue fails to verify that a remote device’s certificate has not already expired or has not yet become valid. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell Storage Center - Dell Storage Manager, version(s) 20.1.20, contain(s) an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Quay. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Maximo Application Suite 9.0 could allow an attacker with some level of access to elevate their privileges due to a security configuration vulnerability in Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.3 and prior versions allow a local attacker case DOS through missing release of memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of insufficient information protection in the media library module Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect service confidentiality. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. 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.
Rejected reason: Not used. No vendor patch available.
In sprd ssense service, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Out-of-Bounds Read in Virglrenderer in ChromeOS 16093.57.0 allows a malicious guest VM to achieve arbitrary address access within the crosvm sandboxed process, potentially leading to VM escape via. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Discourse is an open-source community platform. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
Keystone is a content management system for Node.js. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Misskey is an open source, federated social media platform. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
HCL BigFix Compliance is affected by inclusion of temporary files left in the production environment. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rhymix v2.1.22 was discovered to contain an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability via the procFileAdminEditImage method in /file/file.admin.controller.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Shenzhen Sixun Software Sixun Shanghui Group Business Management System 7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Directory Listing Vulnerability was found in the /osms/Requester/ directory of the Kashipara Online Service Management Portal V1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: check changes_pkt_data property for extension programs When processing calls to global sub-programs, verifier decides whether. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: track changes_pkt_data property for global functions When processing calls to certain helpers, verifier invalidates all packet. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in Best Practical Solutions, LLC's Request Tracker prior to v5.0.8, where the Triple DES (3DES) cryptographic algorithm is used to protect emails sent with S/MIME encryption. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Mechrevo Control Console 1.0.2.70. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3). No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in TOTOLINK A720R 4.1.5cu.374. 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 was found in TOTOLINK A720R 4.1.5cu.374. 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 was found in TOTOLINK A720R 4.1.5cu.374 and classified as critical.cgi of the component Log Handler. 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 was found in GAIR-NLP factool up to 3f3914bc090b644be044b7e0005113c135d8b20f. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.