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 (68905)
The Image Optimizer by 10web WordPress plugin before 1.0.27 does not sanitize the dir parameter when handling the get_subdirs ajax action, allowing a high privileged users such as admins to inspect. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Fast & Effective Popups & Lead-Generation for WordPress plugin before 2.1.4 concatenates user input into an SQL query without escaping it first in the plugin's report API endpoint, which could. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Download Manager WordPress plugin before 3.2.71 does not adequately validate passwords for password-protected files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The AnyWhere Elementor WordPress plugin before 1.2.8 discloses a Freemius Secret Key which could be used by an attacker to purchase the pro subscription using test credit card numbers without. 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.
Minio Console is the UI for MinIO Object Storage. 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.
Emby Server is a user-installable home media server which stores and organizes a user's media files of virtually any format and makes them available for viewing at home and abroad on a broad range of. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
tgstation-server is a production scale tool for BYOND server management. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Contacts app for Nextcloud easily syncs contacts from various devices with your Nextcloud and allows editing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
ToUI is a Python package for creating user interfaces (websites and desktop apps) from HTML. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
imapsync through 2.229 uses predictable paths under /tmp and /var/tmp in its default mode of operation. 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.
gost (GO Simple Tunnel) is a simple tunnel written in golang. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
tgstation-server is a toolset to manage production BYOND servers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability could allow attackers to obtain user credentials due to weak protection mechanisms.
Libarchive through 3.6.2 can cause directories to have world-writable permissions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3). No vendor patch available.
Mattermost fails to normalize UTF confusable characters when determining if a preview should be generated for a hyperlink, allowing an attacker to trigger link preview on a disallowed domain using a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OX App Suite before backend 7.10.6-rev37 does not check HTTP header lengths when downloading, e.g., potentially allowing a crafted iCal feed to provide an unlimited amount of header data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OX App Suite before backend 7.10.6-rev37 does not check size limits when downloading, e.g., potentially allowing a crafted iCal feed to provide an unlimited amount of data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OX App Suite before backend 7.10.6-rev37 allows authenticated users to change the appointments of arbitrary users via conflicting ID numbers, aka "ID confusion.". Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OX App Suite before backend 7.10.6-rev37 has an information leak in the handling of distribution lists, e.g., partial disclosure of the private contacts of another user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OX App Suite before frontend 7.10.6-rev24 allows the loading (without user consent) of an e-mail message's remote resources during printing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the Kiddoware Kids Place Parental Control application before 3.8.50 for Android. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Qt before 5.15.14, 6.x before 6.2.9, and 6.3.x through 6.5.x before 6.5.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Improper Input Validation in GitHub repository openemr/openemr prior to 7.0.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
socket.io parser is a socket.io encoder and decoder written in JavaScript complying with version 5 of socket.io-protocol. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Omni-notes is an open source note-taking application for Android. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rekor's goals are to provide an immutable tamper resistant ledger of metadata generated within a software projects supply chain. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
CKAN is an open-source data management system for powering data hubs and data portals. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Nextcloud server is an open source personal cloud implementation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
InstantPlay which included vulnerable script which could execute javascript in Galaxy Store prior to version 4.5.49.8 allows attackers to execute javascript API to install APK from Galaxy Store. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper scheme validation from InstantPlay Deeplink in Galaxy Store prior to version 4.5.49.8 allows attackers to execute javascript API to install APK from Galaxy Store. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Highlight is an open source, full-stack monitoring platform. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Django-SES is a drop-in mail backend for Django. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in curl <v8.1.0 when doing HTTP(S) transfers, libcurl might erroneously use the read callback (`CURLOPT_READFUNCTION`) to ask for data to send, even. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An improper certificate validation vulnerability exists in curl <v8.1.0 in the way it supports matching of wildcard patterns when listed as "Subject Alternative Name" in TLS server certificates. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Requests is a HTTP library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
Nextcloud server provides a home for data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7).
A flaw was found in Keycloak. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Gallery app has the risk of hijacking attacks. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), 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 medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
c-ares is an asynchronous resolver library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
c-ares is an asynchronous resolver library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4). No vendor patch available.
c-ares is an asynchronous resolver library. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in NFine Rapid Development Platform 20230511. 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.
In WFTPD 3.25, usernames and password hashes are stored in an openly viewable wftpd.ini configuration file within the WFTPD directory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Saleor Core is a composable, headless commerce API. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Missing access permissions checks in M-Files Client before 23.5.12598.0 (excluding 23.2 SR2 and newer) allows elevation of privilege via UI extension applications. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Copy_from_user on 64-bit versions of the Linux kernel does not implement the __uaccess_begin_nospec allowing a user to bypass the "access_ok" check and pass a kernel pointer to copy_from_user(). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Missing Origin Validation in WebSockets vulnerability in CBOT Chatbot allows Content Spoofing Via Application API Manipulation.0.3.4 Panel: v4.0.3.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Enforcement of Message Integrity During Transmission in a Communication Channel vulnerability in CBOT Chatbot allows Adversary in the Middle (AiTM).0.3.4 Panel: v4.0.3.7. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG), Use of Insufficiently Random Values vulnerability in CBOT Chatbot allows Signature Spoofing by Key Recreation.0.3.4 Panel:. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Generation of Incorrect Security Tokens vulnerability in CBOT Chatbot allows Token Impersonation, Privilege Abuse.0.3.4 Panel: v4.0.3.7. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format in GitHub repository pimcore/customer-data-framework prior to 3.3.10. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The Go Pricing - WordPress Responsive Pricing Tables plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in versions up to, and including, 3.3.19 via deserialization of untrusted input from. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Amazon Alexa software version 8960323972 on Echo Dot 2nd generation and 3rd generation devices potentially allows attackers to deliver security-relevant commands via an audio signal between 16 and 22. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Edge Gateway component of Mitel MiVoice Connect versions 19.3 SP2 (22.24.1500.0) and earlier could allow an unauthenticated attacker with internal network access to. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Netbox v3.5.1 allows unauthenticated attackers to execute queries against the GraphQL database, granting them access to sensitive data stored in the database. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
IC Realtime ICIP-P2012T 2.420 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control via unauthenticated port access. 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 in the Connect Mobility Router component of Mitel MiVoice Connect versions 9.6.2208.101 and earlier could allow an unauthenticated attacker with internal network access to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Headquarters server component of Mitel MiVoice Connect versions 19.3 SP2 (22.24.1500.0) and earlier could allow an unauthenticated attacker with internal network access to. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Bramble Handshake Protocol (BHP) in Briar before 1.5.3 is not forward secure: eavesdroppers can decrypt network traffic between two accounts if they later compromise both accounts. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Briar before 1.4.22 allows attackers to spoof other users' messages in a blog, forum, or private group, but each spoofed message would need to be an exact duplicate of a legitimate message displayed. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In Liferay Portal 7.3.0 and earlier, and Liferay DXP 7.2 and earlier the default configuration does not require users to verify their email address, which allows remote attackers to create accounts. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This vulnerability exposes a network port in minikube running on macOS with Docker driver that could enable unexpected remote access to the minikube container. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in Simple Design Daily Journal 1.012.GP.B on Android and classified as problematic. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Weak security in the transmitter of AGShome Smart Alarm v1.0 allows attackers to gain full access to the system via a code replay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Weak security in the transmitter of Digoo DG-HAMB Smart Home Security System v1.0 allows attackers to gain full access to the system via a code replay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Weak security in the transmitter of Blitzwolf BW-IS22 Smart Home Security Alarm v1.0 allows attackers to gain full access to the system via a code replay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Weak Security in the 433MHz keyfob of Kerui W18 Alarm System v1.0 allows attackers to gain full access via a code replay attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Wondershare Filmora 12 (Build 12.2.1.2088) was discovered to contain an unquoted service path vulnerability via the component NativePushService. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The HCL Domino AppDev Pack IAM service is susceptible to a User Account Enumeration vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of Private Personal Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in Finex Media Competition Management System allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data, Collect Data as Provided by. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The `news` MonkeyC operation code in CIQ API version 1.0.0 through 4.1.7 fails to check that string resources are not extending past the end of the expected sections. 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 permission system implemented and enforced by the GarminOS TVM component in CIQ API version 1.0.0 through 4.1.7 can be bypassed entirely. 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.
D-Link DIR-300 firmware <=REVA1.06 and <=REVB2.06 is vulnerable to File inclusion via /model/__lang_msg.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Snap One OvrC Pro versions prior to 7.2, when logged into the superuser account, a new functionality appears that could allow users to execute arbitrary commands on the hub device. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Snap One OvrC Pro versions prior to 7.2 have their own locally running web server accessible both from the local network and remotely. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Snap One OvrC Pro versions prior to 7.3 use HTTP connections when downloading a program from their servers. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Hub in the Snap One OvrC cloud platform is a device used to centralize and manage nested devices connected to it. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When supplied with a random MAC address, Snap One OvrC cloud servers will return information about the device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Divide By Zero in GitHub repository gpac/gpac prior to 2.2.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Out-of-bounds Read in GitHub repository gpac/gpac prior to 2.2.2. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An issue was discovered in KaiOS 3.0 and 3.1. 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.
Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere Vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.4.0 through 1.6.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insecure Default Initialization of Resource Vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.5.0 through 1.6.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Weak Password Requirements vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.1.0 through 1.6.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.4.0 through 1.6.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient Session Expiration vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.4.0 through 1.6.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.2.0 through 1.6.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Teltonika’s Remote Management System versions prior to 4.10.0 contain a function that allows users to claim their devices. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Suprema BioStar 2 before 2022 Q4, v2.9.1 has Insecure Permissions. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource Vulnerability in Apache Software Foundation Apache InLong.2.0 through 1.6.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.