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)
The issue was addressed with improved handling of protocols. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed by enabling hardened runtime. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A configuration issue was addressed with additional restrictions. 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 improved validation. 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 handling of caches. 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 handling of caches. 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 medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. 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 memory handling. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. 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 window management issue was addressed with improved state management. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. 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 bounds checks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, 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.
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions. 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 memory handling. 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 handling of caches. 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 memory handling. 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 handling of temporary files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A privacy issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files. 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 improved redaction of sensitive information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In WS_FTP Server version prior to 8.8.2, an unauthenticated user could enumerate files under the 'WebServiceHost' directory listing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SiberianCMS - CWE-274: Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved handling of protocols. 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 additional sandbox restrictions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A lock screen issue was addressed with improved state management. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the footerr functionality of Hancom Office 2020 HWord 11.0.0.7520. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A privacy issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved handling of caches. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Palantir Gotham was found to be vulnerable to a bug where under certain circumstances, the frontend could have applied an incorrect classification to a newly created property or link. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hitachi Vantara Pentaho Business Analytics Server prior to versions 9.5.0.0 and 9.3.0.4, including 8.3.x.x, saves passwords of the Hadoop Copy Files step in plaintext. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A privacy issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Symantec Protection Engine, prior to 9.1.0, may be susceptible to a Hash Leak vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A permissions issue was addressed with improved redaction of sensitive information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Red Hat's AMQ-Streams, which ships a version of the OKHttp component with an information disclosure flaw via an exception triggered by a header containing an illegal value. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue in TPLink Smart Bulb Tapo series L530 before 1.2.4, L510E before 1.1.0, L630 before 1.0.4, P100 before 1.5.0, and Tapo Application 2.8.14 allows a remote attacker to replay old messages. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Bluetooth mesh implementation If provisionee has a public key that is sent OOB then during provisioning it can be sent back and will be accepted by provisionee. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A heap out-of-bounds read flaw was found in builtin.c in the gawk package. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Docker Desktop before 4.23.0 allows Access Token theft via a crafted extension icon URL.23.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The DoLogin Security WordPress plugin before 3.7 uses headers such as the X-Forwarded-For to retrieve the IP address of the request, which could lead to IP spoofing. 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.
The Import XML and RSS Feeds WordPress plugin before 2.1.5 contains a web shell, allowing unauthenticated attackers to perform RCE. 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.
This Activity Log WordPress plugin before 2.8.8 retrieves client IP addresses from potentially untrusted headers, allowing an attacker to manipulate its value. 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.
The Prevent files / folders access WordPress plugin before 2.5.2 does not validate files to be uploaded, which could allow attackers to upload arbitrary files such as PHP on the server. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The FileOrganizer WordPress plugin through 1.0.2 does not restrict functionality on multisite instances, allowing site admins to gain full control over the server. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of parameters not being strictly verified in the PMS module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Data security classification vulnerability in the DDMP module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of permission control in the window module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of defects introduced in the design process in the HiviewTunner module. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of improper permission management in the displayengine module. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in D-Link DAR-7000 up to 20151231.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in OpenStack Barbican containers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A credentials leak flaw was found in OpenStack Barbican. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An information leak was discovered in OpenStack heat. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The Easy Registration Forms for WordPress is vulnerable to Information Disclosure via the 'erforms_user_meta' shortcode in versions up to, and including, 2.1.1 due to insufficient controls on 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.
TaxonWorks is a web-based workbench designed for taxonomists and biodiversity scientists. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This SQL Injection vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database.
The package `github.com/gomarkdown/markdown` is a Go library for parsing Markdown text and rendering as HTML. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Credential disclosure in the '/webs/userpasswd.htm' endpoint in Juplink RX4-1500 Wifi router firmware versions V1.0.4 and V1.0.5 allows an authenticated attacker to leak the password for the. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
aes-gcm is a pure Rust implementation of the AES-GCM. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
AutomataCI is a template git repository equipped with a native built-in semi-autonomous CI tools. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
An incorrect comparison vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed commit smuggling by displaying an incorrect diff in a re-opened Pull Request. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Plesk Onyx 17.8.11 has accessKeyId and secretAccessKey fields that are related to an Amazon AWS Firehose component. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cadence through 0.9.2 2023-08-21 uses an Insecure /tmp/cadence-wineasio.reg Temporary File. 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.
Cadence through 0.9.2 2023-08-21 uses an Insecure /tmp/.cadence-aloop-daemon.x Temporary File. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
FUXA <= 1.1.12 is vulnerable to Local via Inclusion via /api/download. 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.
FUXA <= 1.1.12 has a Local File Inclusion vulnerability via file=fuxa.log. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Ivanti Endpoint Manager before 2022 SU4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue was addressed with improved checks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
quinn-proto is a state machine for the QUIC transport protocol. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Due to the implementation of "deriveVaultKey", prior to version 7.10, the generated vault key would always have the last 16 bytes predetermined to be "arfoobarfoobarfo". Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When sealing/unsealing the “vault” key, a list of PCRs is used, which defines which PCRs are used. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
On boot, the Pillar eve container checks for the existence and content of “/config/GlobalConfig/global.json”. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
On boot, the Pillar eve container checks for the existence and content of “/config/authorized_keys”. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Input Validation in GitHub repository nocodb/nocodb prior to 0.96.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Dell SCG Policy Manager 5.16.00.14 contains a broken cryptographic algorithm vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Insecure Permissions vulnerability in icmsdev iCMS v.7.0.16 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MyPrestaModules Prestashop Module v6.2.9 and UpdateProducts Prestashop Module v3.6.9 were discovered to contain a PHPInfo information disclosure vulnerability via send.php. 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 in CloudExplorer Lite 1.3.1 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via the login key component. 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 in cimg.eu Cimg Library v2.9.3 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via a crafted JPEG file. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An information leak in Earthgarden_waiting 13.6.1 allows attackers to obtain the channel access token and send crafted messages. 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.
An information leak in kokoroe_members card Line 13.6.1 allows attackers to obtain the channel access token and send crafted messages. 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.
IBM Robotic Process Automation 21.0.0 through 21.0.7.8 could disclose sensitive information from access to RPA scripts, workflows and related data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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.
IBM Storage Protect 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.19.0 could allow a privileged user to obtain sensitive information from the administrative command line client. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
An information leak in KUKURUDELI Line v13.6.1 allows attackers to obtain the channel access token and send crafted messages. 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.
An information leak in ajino-Shiretoko Line v13.6.1 allows attackers to obtain the channel access token and send crafted messages. 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.