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 (68895)
Information disclosure in WLAN HOST while processing the WLAN scan descriptor list during roaming scan. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Information Disclosure in data Modem while parsing an FMTP line in an SDP message. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information Disclosure in Data Modem while performing a VoLTE call with an undefined RTCP FB line value. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Transient DOS in Modem while triggering a camping on an 5G cell. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Weak configuration in Automotive while VM is processing a listener request from TEE. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File vulnerability in Hitachi Ops Center Administrator on Linux allows local users to gain sensitive information.9.3-00. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw exists in FlashArray Purity whereby an array administrator by configuring an external key manager can affect the availability of data on the system including snapshots protected by SafeMode. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw exists in FlashBlade Purity whereby a user with access to an administrative account on a FlashBlade that is configured with timezone-dependent snapshot schedules can configure a timezone to. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw exists in FlashBlade Purity whereby an authenticated user with access to FlashBlade’s object store protocol can impact the availability of the system’s data access and replication protocols. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in animal-art-lab v13.6.1 allows attackers to send crafted notifications via leakage of the channel access token. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In Mosquitto before 2.0.16, a memory leak occurs when clients send v5 CONNECT packets with a will message that contains invalid property types. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Mosquitto before 2.0.16, excessive memory is allocated based on malicious initial packets that are not CONNECT packets. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect validation vulnerability of the data entered, allowing an attacker with access to the network on which the affected device is located to use the discovery port protocol (1925/UDP) to obtain. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect data input validation vulnerability, which could allow an attacker with access to the network to implement fuzzing techniques that would allow him to gain knowledge about specially crafted. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Phpipam before v1.5.2 was discovered to contain a LDAP injection vulnerability via the dname parameter at /users/ad-search-result.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Mattermost fails to check the Show Full Name option at the /api/v4/teams/TEAM_ID/top/team_members endpoint allowing a member to get the full name of another user even if the Show Full Name option was. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect data input validation vulnerability, which could allow an attacker with access to the network to implement fuzzing techniques that would allow him to gain knowledge about specially crafted. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In display, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A local non-privileged user can make improper GPU memory processing operations to gain access to already freed memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in phpkobo Ajax Poll Script 3.18. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Xinhu RockOA 2.3.2. 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.
A vulnerability was found in Xinhu RockOA 1.1/2.3.2/15.X3amdi and classified as problematic. 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.
An issue was discovered in PostCSS before 8.4.31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability was found in ZZZCMS 2.1.7 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions starting from 16.2 before 16.2.8, all versions starting from 16.3 before 16.3.5, all versions starting from 16.4 before 16.4.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A business logic error in GitLab EE affecting all versions prior to 16.2.8, 16.3 prior to 16.3.5, and 16.4 prior to 16.4.1 allows access to internal projects. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions affecting all versions from 11.11 prior to 16.2.8, 16.3 prior to 16.3.5, and 16.4 prior to 16.4.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An information disclosure issue in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 13.11 prior to 16.2.8, 16.3 prior to 16.3.5, and 16.4 prior to 16.4.1 allows an attacker to extract non-protected. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
pretix before 2023.7.2 allows Pillow to parse EPS files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
The Vault and Vault Enterprise ("Vault") Google Cloud secrets engine did not preserve existing Google Cloud IAM Conditions upon creating or updating rolesets. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
TorchServe is a tool for serving and scaling PyTorch models in production. 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.
Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 2200 allows a GPU Double Free (issue 1 of 2). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
mooSocial 3.1.8 is vulnerable to external service interaction on post function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In certain scenarios, Drupal's JSON:API module will output error backtraces. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
The commit 3730880 (April 2023) and v.0.9-beta1 of gugoan Economizzer has a user enumeration vulnerability in the login and forgot password functionalities. 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.
WebCatalog before 49.0 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Red Hat's AMQ Broker, which stores certain passwords in a secret security-properties-prop-module, defined in ActivemqArtemisSecurity CR; however, they are shown in plaintext in. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
matrix-hookshot is a Matrix bot for connecting to external services like GitHub, GitLab, JIRA, and more. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
JumpServer is an open source bastion host. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
xrdp is an open source remote desktop protocol server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
Dell Data Protection Central, version 19.9, contains an Inadequate Encryption Strength Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
BIG-IP APM clients may send IP traffic outside of the VPN tunnel. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
BIG-IP APM clients may send IP traffic outside of the VPN tunnel. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in HimitZH HOJ up to 4.6-9a65e3f. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Excessive Data Query Operations in a Large Data Table in GitHub repository pimcore/demo prior to 10.3.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
In canvas rendering, a compromised content process could have caused a surface to change unexpectedly, leading to a memory leak of a privileged process. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Broadcast permission control vulnerability in the framework module. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Red Hat AMQ Broker Operator, where it displayed a password defined in ActiveMQArtemisAddress CR, shown in plain text in the Operator Log. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PVRIC (PowerVR Image Compression) on Imagination 2018 and later GPU devices offers software-transparent compression that enables cross-origin pixel-stealing attacks against feTurbulence and feBlend. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to improper authorization. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to improper authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to cleartext storage of sensitive information. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to insufficient token field masking. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to spell-jacking. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information leak through log files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to improper authorization. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to cleartext storage of sensitive information in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to improper authentication. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability is that the Messaging ("com.android.mms") app patched by LG forwards attacker-controlled intents back to the attacker in the exported. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
he vulnerability is to delete arbitrary files in LGInstallService ("com.lge.lginstallservies") app. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
he vulnerability is that the Call management ("com.android.server.telecom") app patched by LG launches implicit intents that disclose sensitive data to all third-party apps installed on the same. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability is that the Call management ("com.android.server.telecom") app patched by LG sends a lot of LG-owned implicit broadcasts that disclose sensitive data to all third-party apps. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability is to theft of arbitrary files with system privilege in the Screen recording ("com.lge.gametools.gamerecorder") app in the. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability is to theft of arbitrary files with system privilege in the LockScreenSettings ("com.lge.lockscreensettings") app in the. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vulnerability is an intent redirection in LG ThinQ Service ("com.lge.lms2") in the "com/lge/lms/things/ui/notification/NotificationManager.java" file. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dreamer CMS v4.1.3 was discovered to contain an arbitrary file read vulnerability via the component /admin/TemplateController.java. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
JumpServer is an open source bastion host. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), 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.
Fortect - CWE-428: Unquoted Search Path or Element, may be used by local user to elevate privileges. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A race condition was addressed with improved locking. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Synapse is an open-source Matrix homeserver written and maintained by the Matrix.org Foundation. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
GLPI stands for Gestionnaire Libre de Parc Informatique is a Free Asset and IT Management Software package, that provides ITIL Service Desk features, licenses tracking and software auditing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
GLPI stands for Gestionnaire Libre de Parc Informatique is a Free Asset and IT Management Software package, that provides ITIL Service Desk features, licenses tracking and software auditing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Screenshot vulnerability in the input module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of mutex management in the bone voice ID trusted application (TA) module. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of 5G messages being sent without being encrypted in a VPN environment in the SMS message module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An authorization issue was addressed with improved state management. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A logic issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An authentication issue was addressed with improved state management. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed by adding an additional prompt for user consent. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.