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 (74816)
The Melhor Envio plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 2.15.9 via the 'run' function, which uses a hardcoded hash. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in FCJ Venture Builder appclientefiel 3.0.27. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Vivotek NVR ND8422P, NVR ND9525P and NVR ND9541P 2.4.0.204/3.3.0.104/4.2.0.101. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in lenve VBlog up to 1.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability exists in the errorpage.php file of the CS2-WeaponPaints-Website v2.1.7 where user-controlled input is not adequately validated before being processed. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: DO NOT USE THIS CANDIDATE NUMBER. No vendor patch available.
EDK2 contains a vulnerability in the HashPeImageByType(). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
estree-util-value-to-estree converts a JavaScript value to an ESTree expression. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
tarteaucitron.js is a compliant and accessible cookie banner. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
A flaw was found in GNUPlot. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory corruption while IOCTL call is invoked from user-space to read board data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information disclosure may be there when a guest VM is connected. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cryptographic issue may arise because the access control configuration permits Linux to read key registers in TCSR. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information disclosure may occur during a video call if a device resets due to a non-conforming RTCP packet that doesn`t adhere to RFC standards. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information disclosure while creating MQ channels. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cryptographic issues while generating an asymmetric key pair for RKP use cases. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There may be information disclosure during memory re-allocation in TZ Secure OS. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DLL Search Order Hijacking vulnerability potentially allowed an attacker with administrator privileges to load a malicious dynamic-link library and execute its code. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In wlan AP driver, there is a possible information disclosure due to an uncaught exception. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In wlan AP driver, there is a possible information disclosure due to an uncaught exception. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PlayReady TA, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PlayReady TA, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PlayReady TA, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Modem, there is a possible system crash due to improper input validation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In keymaster, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of improper resource management in the memory management module Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect availability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exception capture failure vulnerability in the SVG parsing module of the ArkUI framework Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect availability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exception capture failure vulnerability in the SVG parsing module of the ArkUI framework Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect availability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.2 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.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.2 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.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.2 and prior versions allow a local attacker cause DOS through out-of-bounds read. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.2 and prior versions allow a local attacker cause DOS through out-of-bounds read. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.2 and prior versions allow a local attacker cause DOS through out-of-bounds read. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Consumer Comanda Mobile up to 14.9.3.2/15.0.0.8. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in iteaj iboot 物联网网关 1.1.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
mod_auth_openidc is an OpenID Certified authentication and authorization module for the Apache 2.x HTTP server that implements the OpenID Connect Relying Party functionality. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Plain Craft Launcher (PCL) is a launcher for Minecraft. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In chainmaker-go (aka ChainMaker) before 2.4.0, when making frequent updates to a node's configuration file and restarting this node, concurrent writes by logger.go to a map are mishandled. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
In chainmaker-go (aka ChainMaker) before 2.3.6, multiple updates to a single node's configuration can cause other normal nodes to perform concurrent read and write operations on a map, leading to a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
FISCO BCOS 3.11.0 has an issue with synchronization of the transaction pool that can, for example, be observed when a malicious node (that has modified the codebase to allow a large min_seal_time. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in 1902756969/code-projects IKUN_Library 1.0 and classified as problematic. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In ConnMan through 1.44, parse_rr in dnsproxy.c has a memcpy length that depends on an RR RDLENGTH value, i.e., *rdlen=ntohs(rr->rdlen) and memcpy(response+offset,*end,*rdlen) without a check for. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Poppler before 25.04.0 allows crafted input files to trigger out-of-bounds reads in the JBIG2Bitmap::combine function in JBIG2Stream.cc because of a misplaced isOk check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In Zammad 6.4.x before 6.4.2, there is information exposure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
In Zammad 6.4.x before 6.4.2, there is client-side enforcement of server-side security. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
In Zammad 6.4.x before 6.4.2, an authenticated agent with knowledge base permissions was able to use the Zammad API to fetch knowledge base content that they have no permission for. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Net::Xero 0.044 and earlier for Perl uses the rand() function as the default source of entropy, which is not cryptographically secure, for cryptographic functions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WebService::Xero 0.11 and earlier for Perl uses the rand() function as the default source of entropy, which is not cryptographically secure, for cryptographic functions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Net::Dropbox::API 1.9 and earlier for Perl uses the rand() function as the default source of entropy, which is not cryptographically secure, for cryptographic functions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Web::API 2.8 and earlier for Perl uses the rand() function as the default source of entropy, which is not cryptographically secure, for cryptographic functions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Amon2::Auth::Site::LINE uses the String::Random module to generate nonce values. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Online Eyewear Shop 1.0 and classified as problematic. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The KB Support - Customer Support Ticket & Helpdesk Plugin, Knowledge Base Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.4 via. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in xujiangfei admintwo 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in xujiangfei admintwo 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Exposure of Sensitive System Information Due to Uncleared Debug Information vulnerability in 1clickmigration 1 Click WordPress Migration allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.2. 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 ERA404 StaffList allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.2.6. 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 J. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Generation of Error Message Containing Sensitive Information vulnerability in vcita Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar for WordPress by vcita allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.5.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rejected reason: This CVE ID has been rejected or withdrawn by its CVE Numbering Authority. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in RadiusTheme Radius Blocks allows PHP Local File Inclusion.2.1. 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 Jakub Glos Sparkle Elementor Kit allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.9. 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 Alex Prokopenko / JustCoded Just Post Preview Widget 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 markkinchin Beds24 Online Booking allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.26. 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 Catch Themes Catch Dark Mode allows PHP Local File Inclusion.2.1. 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 vinagecko VG WooCarousel allows PHP Local File Inclusion.3. 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 Essential Plugins by WP OnlineSupport Slider a SlidersPack allows PHP Local. 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 Sven Lehnert BuddyForms allows PHP Local File Inclusion.8.15. 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 Rameez Iqbal Real Estate Manager allows PHP Local File Inclusion.3. 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 JoomSky JS Job Manager allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Stylemix Motors allows PHP Local File Inclusion.4.65. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Stylemix MasterStudy LMS allows PHP Local File Inclusion.5.23. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Software installed and run as a non-privileged user may conduct improper GPU system calls to subvert GPU HW to write to arbitrary physical memory pages. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
gitoxide is an implementation of git written in Rust. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in zankover Fami WooCommerce Compare allows PHP Local File Inclusion.0.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Externally-Accessible File or Directory vulnerability in Oblak Studio Srbtranslatin allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.2.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Tenda FH1202 1.2.0.14(408). 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 Tenda FH1202 1.2.0.14(408). 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.
The Docker image from acme.sh before 40b6db6 is based on a .github/workflows/dockerhub.yml file that lacks "persist-credentials: false" for actions/checkout. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Countdown, Coming Soon, Maintenance - Countdown & Clock plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.9.1 via the createCdObj function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
HCL Connections is vulnerable to an information disclosure vulnerability which could allow a user to obtain sensitive information they are not entitled to, caused by improper handling of request data. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The tagDiv Composer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Instantiation in all versions up to, and including, 5.3 via module parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Versions of the package expand-object from 0.0.0 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution in the expand() function in index.js. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in ageerle ruoyi-ai up to 2.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A vulnerability was found in ageerle ruoyi-ai up to 2.0.1 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A vulnerability has been found in GNU Binutils 2.43/2.44 and classified as problematic. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Weak encoding for password vulnerability exists in HMI ViewJet C-more series. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unintended proxy or intermediary ('Confused Deputy') issue exists in HMI ViewJet C-more series and HMI GC-A2 series, which may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to use the product as an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
HCL Traveler generates some error messages that provide detailed information about errors and failures, such as internal paths, file names, sensitive tokens, credentials, error codes, or stack. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
HCL Traveler is affected by an internal path disclosure in a Windows application when the application inadvertently reveals internal file paths, in error messages, debug logs, or responses to user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.