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 (68855)
There is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in some Hikvision NVRs. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rapid7's InsightVM maintenance mode login page suffers from a sensitive information exposure vulnerability whereby, sensitive information is exposed through query strings in the URL when login is. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WPFront User Role Editor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.1.11184 via the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
A vulnerability in the Eclipse Vert.x toolkit causes a memory leak in TCP servers configured with TLS and SNI support. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v4.0.0 and prior versions allow a remote attacker cause DOS through improper input. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: stmmac: xgmac: fix handling of DPP safety error for DMA channels Commit 56e58d6c8a56 ("net: stmmac: Implement Safety Features. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: cfg80211: detect stuck ECSA element in probe resp We recently added some validation that we don't try to connect to an AP. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: improve CSA/ECSA connection refusal As mentioned in the previous commit, we pretty quickly found that some APs have. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: atlantic: Fix DMA mapping for PTP hwts ring Function aq_ring_hwts_rx_alloc() maps extra AQ_CFG_RXDS_DEF bytes for PTP HWTS. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Use After Free vulnerability could allow attackers to access freed memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: inet: read sk->sk_family once in inet_recv_error() inet_recv_error() is called without holding the socket lock. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: af_unix: Call kfree_skb() for dead unix_(sk)->oob_skb in GC. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Memory Leak vulnerability could allow attackers to exhaust available memory leading to denial of service.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nft_ct: sanitize layer 3 and 4 protocol number in custom expectations - Disallow families other than. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: blk-mq: fix IO hang from sbitmap wakeup race In blk_mq_mark_tag_wait(), __add_wait_queue() may be re-ordered with the following. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7).
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/msm/dpu: check for valid hw_pp in dpu_encoder_helper_phys_cleanup The commit 8b45a26f2ba9 ("drm/msm/dpu: reserve cdm blocks for. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Improper RCU (Read-Copy-Update) synchronization in the Linux kernel's mac80211 Wi-Fi subsystem TDLS fast-xmit path allows an adjacent-network attacker to exploit a race condition, potentially disclosing kernel memory or causing a denial of service. The vulnerability arises because a link lookup occurs under an assumed RCU read-lock that is not guaranteed to be held at that point in execution, enabling use-after-free or invalid memory access. No public exploit has been identified and EPSS is very low at 0.23%, but the CVSS score of 7.1 (High) reflects meaningful confidentiality and availability impact if exploitation conditions are met.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tunnels: fix out of bounds access when building IPv6 PMTU error If the ICMPv6 error is built from a non-linear skb we get the. 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.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amd/display: Implement bounds check for stream encoder creation in DCN301 'stream_enc_regs' array is an array of. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), 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.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bcachefs: grab s_umount only if snapshotting When I was testing mongodb over bcachefs with compression, there is a lockdep warning. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
** DISPUTED ** A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Intelbras MHDX 1004, MHDX 1008, MHDX 1016, MHDX 5016, HDCVI 1008 and HDCVI 1016 up to 20240401. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient privileges vulnerability in Samsung Camera prior to versions 12.1.0.31 in Android 12, 13.1.02.07 in Android 13, and 14.0.01.06 in Android 14 allows local attackers. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper verification of intent by broadcast receiver vulnerability in ThemeStore prior to 5.3.05.2 allows local attackers to write arbitrary files to sandbox of ThemeStore. 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 vulnerability in SmartThings prior to version 1.8.13.22 allows local attackers to access testing configuration. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in Samsung Data Store prior to version 5.3.00.4 allows local attackers to launch arbitrary activity with Samsung Data Store privilege. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of Implicit Intent for Sensitive Communication in Samsung Pay prior to version 5.4.99 allows local attackers to access information of Samsung Pay. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Access Control vulnerability in StorageManagerService prior to SMR Apr-2024 Release 1 allows local attackers to read sdcard information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kofax Power PDF JPG File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kofax Power PDF GIF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
System->Maintenance-> Log Files in dotCMS dashboard is providing the username/password for database connections in the log output. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor JPG File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor XPS File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor XPS File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PDF-XChange Editor TIF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Go package IceWhaleTech/CasaOS-UserService provides user management functionalities to CasaOS. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Replify-Messenger 1.0 on Android.xml of the component Backup File Handler. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Transient DOS while decoding the ToBeSignedMessage in Automotive Telematics. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Transient DOS while decoding message of size that exceeds the available system memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Transient DOS while decoding an ASN.1 OER message containing a SEQUENCE of unknown extensions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in fridgecow smartalarm 1.8.1 on Android. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hard-coded Credentials in CoolKit eWeLlink app are before 5.4.x on Android and IOS allows local attacker to unauthorized access to sensitive data via Decryption algorithm and key obtained after. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7). No vendor patch available.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: sh: aica: reorder cleanup operations to avoid UAF bugs The dreamcastcard->timer could schedule the spu_dma_work and the. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). This Use After Free vulnerability could allow attackers to access freed memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: misc: ljca: Fix double free in error handling path When auxiliary_device_add() returns error and then calls. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
The Hubbub Lite WordPress plugin before 1.33.1 does not ensure that user have access to password protected post before displaying its content in a meta tag. 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.
In imgsys, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3). No vendor patch available.
In flashc, there is a possible information disclosure due to an uncaught exception. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In flashc, there is a possible information disclosure due to an uncaught exception. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In flashc, there is a possible information disclosure due to an uncaught exception. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In flashc, there is a possible information disclosure due to an uncaught exception. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In battery, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In audio, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect calculation of buffer size. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In da, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
JJWT (aka Java JWT) through 0.12.5 ignores certain characters and thus a user might falsely conclude that they have a strong key. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability in Paid Memberships Pro Paid Memberships Pro - Mailchimp Add On pmpro-mailchimp.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Security Verify Access 10.0.6 could disclose sensitive snapshot information due to missing encryption. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Dreamer CMS up to 4.1.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Essential Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 5.9.13 via deserialization of untrusted input from the. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code through malicious serialized objects.
The ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.6 via the render_raw function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Ruijie RG-NBR700GW 10.3(4b12) router lacks cookie verification when resetting the password, resulting in an administrator password reset vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability in Paid Memberships Pro Paid Memberships Pro - Payfast Gateway Add On.4.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability in Frédéric GILLES FG PrestaShop to WooCommerce.45.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WPExperts Wholesale For WooCommerce.3.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tuleap is an Open Source Suite to improve management of software developments and collaboration. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The AuthKit library for Next.js provides helpers for authentication and session management using WorkOS & AuthKit with Next.js. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Electron Packager bundles Electron-based application source code with a renamed Electron executable and supporting files into folders ready for distribution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
JumpServer is an open source bastion host and an operation and maintenance security audit system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Swift Prometheus is a Swift client for the Prometheus monitoring system, supporting counters, gauges and histograms. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available.
Tenda FH1205 v2.0.0.7(775) has a stack overflow vulnerability in the time parameter from saveParentControlInfo function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The HUSKY - Products Filter Professional for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.5.2 via the 'type' parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The MasterStudy LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 3.3.0 via the 'modal' parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
The Button plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.27 via deserialization of untrusted input in the button_shortcode function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Lightbox slider - Responsive Lightbox Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 1.9.9 via deserialization of untrusted input through. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NodeBB 3.6.7 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control, e.g., a low-privileged attacker can access the restricted tabs for the Admin group via "isadmin":true. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in PCP. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, version 19.15, contains an XML External Entity Injection vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS, versions 8.2.2.x through 9.5.0.x contains a use of a broken cryptographic algorithm vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2.x through 9.7.0.x contains a cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 9.4.0.x through 9.7.0.x contains an insertion of sensitive information into log file vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In JetBrains TeamCity before 2024.03 server administrators could remove arbitrary files from the server by installing tools. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1203 v2.0.1.6 has a stack overflow vulnerability in the list1 parameter of the fromDhcpListClient function. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1202 v1.2.0.14(408) has a stack overflow vulnerability in the urls parameter of the saveParentControlInfo function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
CreateWiki is Miraheze's MediaWiki extension for requesting & creating wikis. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
CreateWiki is Miraheze's MediaWiki extension for requesting & creating wikis. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kimai is a web-based multi-user time-tracking application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tenda FH1202 v1.2.0.14(408) has a stack overflow vulnerability in the deviceId parameter of the formSetDeviceName function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper validation of array index vulnerability in UserPrivilege.Enum webapi component in Synology Surveillance Station before 9.2.0-9289 and 9.2.0-11289 allows remote authenticated users to obtain. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability in PeepSo Community by PeepSo.2.7.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability in Seraphinite Solutions Seraphinite Accelerator.20.47. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.