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 (68910)
A CWE-20: Improper Input Validation vulnerability exists that could allow an authenticated attacker to gain the same privilege as the application on the server when a malicious payload is provided. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Cilium is a networking, observability, and security solution with an eBPF-based dataplane. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3). No vendor patch available.
Jetty is a java based web server and servlet engine. 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.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive data exposure in Webconf in Tribe29 Checkmk Appliance before 1.6.4 allows local attacker to retrieve passwords via reading log files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A CWE-668: Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere vulnerability exists that could cause remote code execution when a valid user visits a malicious link provided through the web endpoints. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Weak Password Requirements in GitHub repository modoboa/modoboa prior to 2.1.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An NTFS Junction condition exists in the Qualys Cloud Agent for Windows platform in versions before 4.8.0.31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3). No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Student Study Center Desk Management System 1.0 and classified as critical. 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.
AMI MegaRAC SPx12 and SPx13 devices have Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
@web3-react is a framework for building Ethereum Apps . Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for secure smart contract development. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Nextcloud Talk is a chat, video & audio call extension for Nextcloud. 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.
XWiki Platform is a generic wiki platform offering runtime services for applications built on top of it. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
guzzlehttp/psr7 is a PSR-7 HTTP message library implementation in PHP. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Insecure Default Initialization of Resource vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved allows an unauthenticated, network based attacker to read certain confidential information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Improperly Controlled Sequential Memory Allocation vulnerability in the Juniper Networks Deep Packet Inspection-Decoder (JDPI-Decoder) Application Signature component of Junos OS's AppID service. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Improper Handling of Unexpected Data Type vulnerability in IPv6 firewall filter processing of Juniper Networks Junos OS on the ACX Series devices will prevent a firewall filter with the term 'from. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved allows a local, authenticated low-privileged attacker to copy potentially malicious files. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Electra Central AC unit - The unit opens an AP with an easily calculated password. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Out-Of-Bounds Write Vulnerability in Autodesk® FBX® SDK version 2020 or prior may lead to code execution through maliciously crafted FBX files or information disclosure. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A malicious actor may convince a victim to open a malicious USD file that may trigger an out-of-bounds read vulnerability which may result in code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Mattermost fails to redact from audit logs the user password during user creation and the user password hash in other operations if the experimental audit logging configuration was enabled. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Pricing Tables For WPBakery Page Builder (formerly Visual Composer) WordPress plugin before 3.0 does not validate some shortcode attributes before using them to generate paths passed to include. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Gallery by BestWebSoft WordPress plugin before 4.7.0 does not perform proper sanitization of gallery information, leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scription vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Insecure Storage of Sensitive Information vulnerability in Jose Mortellaro Freesoul Deactivate Plugins - Plugin manager and cleanup plugin <= 1.9.4.0 versions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for secure smart contract development. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several other top level XWiki projects. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The Linux kernel before 6.2.9 has a race condition and resultant use-after-free in drivers/power/supply/da9150-charger.c if a physically proximate attacker unplugs a device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. This Use After Free vulnerability could allow attackers to access freed memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.
XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several other top level XWiki projects. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several other top level XWiki projects. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several other top level XWiki projects. 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.
XWiki Commons are technical libraries common to several other top level XWiki projects. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Weak Password Requirements in GitHub repository janeczku/calibre-web prior to 0.6.20. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Session Fixation in GitHub repository alextselegidis/easyappointments prior to 1.5.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An issue was discovered in Samsung Exynos Mobile Processor, Automotive Processor and Modem for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Exynos 9110, and Exynos Auto T5123. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SpiceDB is an open source, Google Zanzibar-inspired, database system for creating and managing security-critical application permissions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 112.0.5615.121 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vitess is a database clustering system for horizontal scaling of MySQL. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The OpenFeature Operator allows users to expose feature flags to applications. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted X_B file when parsed through Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2023 can be used to write beyond the allocated buffer causing a Stack Buffer Overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted X_B file when parsed through Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2023 can be used to cause an Integer Overflow. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted X_B file when parsed through Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2023 can force an Out-of-Bound Read. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
HPE OneView virtual appliance "Migrate server hardware" option may expose sensitive information in an HPE OneView support dump. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An HPE OneView Global Dashboard (OVGD) appliance dump may expose OVGD user account credentials. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SENAYAN Library Management System (SLiMS) Bulian v9.5.2 does not strip exif data from uploaded images. 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 TigerGraph Enterprise Free Edition 3.x. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue found in DUALSPACE v.1.1.3 allows a local attacker to gain privileges via the key_ad_new_user_avoid_time field. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The login page of Revive Adserver v5.4.1 is vulnerable to brute force attacks. 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.
Signal Handler Race Condition vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric India GC-ENET-COM whose first 2 digits of 11-digit serial number of unit are "16" allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to cause. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Irssi 1.3.x and 1.4.x before 1.4.4 has a use-after-free because of use of a stale special collector reference. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Baidu braft 1.1.2 has a memory leak related to use of the new operator in example/atomic/atomic_server. 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.
BlackVue DR750-2CH LTE v.1.012_2022.10.26 was discovered to contain a weak default passphrase which can be easily cracked via a brute force attack if the WPA2 handshake is intercepted. 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.
Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4.0 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4.0 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4.0 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Spring Session version 3.0.0, the session id can be logged to the standard output stream. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in TigerGraph Enterprise Free Edition 3.x. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
libiec61850 v1.5.1 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation via the function ControlObjectClient_setOrigin() at /client/client_control.c. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An issue was discovered in TigerGraph Enterprise Free Edition 3.x. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
KYOCERA Mobile Print' v3.2.0.230119 and earlier, 'UTAX/TA MobilePrint' v3.2.0.230119 and earlier, and 'Olivetti Mobile Print' v3.2.0.230119 and earlier are vulnerable to improper intent handling. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in SecurePoint UTM before 12.2.5.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in SecurePoint UTM before 12.2.5.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an Access of Uninitialized Pointer vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an Access of Uninitialized Pointer vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Substance 3D Stager version 2.0.1 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.001.20093 (and earlier) and 20.005.30441 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.001.20093 (and earlier) and 20.005.30441 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.8 (and earlier) is affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory structure. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Jenkins Consul KV Builder Plugin 2.0.13 and earlier does not mask the HashiCorp Consul ACL Token on the global configuration form, increasing the potential for attackers to observe and capture it. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins Consul KV Builder Plugin 2.0.13 and earlier stores the HashiCorp Consul ACL Token unencrypted in its global configuration file on the Jenkins controller where it can be viewed by users with. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins WSO2 Oauth Plugin 1.0 and earlier does not mask the WSO2 Oauth client secret on the global configuration form, increasing the potential for attackers to observe and capture it. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins WSO2 Oauth Plugin 1.0 and earlier stores the WSO2 Oauth client secret unencrypted in the global config.xml file on the Jenkins controller where it can be viewed by users with access to the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.