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 (68957)
An issue was discovered in the fp_newsletter (aka Newsletter subscriber management) extension before 1.1.1, 1.2.0, 2.x before 2.1.2, 2.2.1 through 2.4.0, and 3.x before 3.2.6 for TYPO3. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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.
An issue was discovered in the fe_change_pwd (aka Change password for frontend users) extension before 2.0.5, and 3.x before 3.0.3, for TYPO3. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability was found in X.Org. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in X.Org. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel through 5.16-rc6. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
TYPO3 is an open source PHP based web content management system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
TYPO3 is an open source PHP based web content management system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
TYPO3 is an open source PHP based web content management system. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Delta Industrial Automation DIALink versions 1.4.0.0 and prior are vulnerable to the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key which could allow an attacker to decrypt sensitive data and compromise the. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DirectX Graphics Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8). No vendor patch available.
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Microsoft Windows System Monitor (Sysmon) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Graphics Component Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Graphics Component Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Bluetooth Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Bluetooth Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Client Server Run-time Subsystem (CSRSS) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
Windows Graphics Component Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Error Reporting Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
Windows Graphics Component Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Update Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Windows Hyper-V Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Fax Compose Form Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Outlook for Android Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3).
Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm in SICK RFU65x firmware version < v2.21 allows a low-privileged remote attacker to decrypt the encrypted data if the user requested weak cipher suites. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm in SICK RFU63x firmware version < v2.21 allows a low-privileged remote attacker to decrypt the encrypted data if the user requested weak cipher suites. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm in SICK RFU62x firmware version < 2.21 allows a low-privileged remote attacker to decrypt the encrypted data if the user requested weak cipher suites. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE X204RNA (HSR) (All versions < V3.2.7), SCALANCE X204RNA (PRP) (All versions < V3.2.7), SCALANCE X204RNA EEC (HSR) (All versions < V3.2.7), SCALANCE. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE X204RNA (HSR) (All versions < V3.2.7), SCALANCE X204RNA (PRP) (All versions < V3.2.7), SCALANCE X204RNA EEC (HSR) (All versions < V3.2.7), SCALANCE. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability has been identified in Parasolid V33.1 (All versions < V33.1.264), Parasolid V34.0 (All versions < V34.0.252), Parasolid V34.1 (All versions < V34.1.242), Parasolid V35.0 (All. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE SC622-2C (6GK5622-2GS00-2AC2) (All versions < V2.3), SCALANCE SC622-2C (6GK5622-2GS00-2AC2) (All versions >= V2.3 < V3.0), SCALANCE SC626-2C. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Affected devices do not check the TFTP blocksize correctly. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Affected devices store the CLI user passwords encrypted in flash memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Affected devices use a weak encryption scheme to encrypt the debug zip file. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.1.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.2 (All versions < V13.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.9),. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SICAM PAS/PQS (All versions < V7.0). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability has been identified in SICAM PAS/PQS (All versions < V7.0). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ (All versions < V2306). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.1.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.2 (All versions < V13.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.8),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.1.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.2 (All versions < V13.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.8),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.1.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.2 (All versions < V13.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.8),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.1.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.2 (All versions < V13.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.8),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V14.1.0.6), Teamcenter Visualization V13.2 (All versions < V13.2.0.12), Teamcenter Visualization V13.3 (All versions < V13.3.0.8),. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information disclosure due to buffer over-read in Bluetooth HOST while pairing and connecting A2DP. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
Information disclosure due to buffer over-read in WLAN firmware while parsing security context info attributes. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VMware ESXi contains a heap-overflow vulnerability. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The vCenter Server contains an information disclosure vulnerability due to the logging of credentials in plaintext. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm in SICK RFU61x firmware version <v2.25 allows a low-privileged remote attacker to decrypt the encrypted data if the user requested weak cipher suites. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In GetResolvedMethod of entrypoint_utils-inl.h, there is a possible use after free due to a stale cache. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In fdt_path_offset_namelen of fdt_ro.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In updatePublicMode of NotificationLockscreenUserManagerImpl.java, there is a possible way to reveal sensitive notifications on the lockscreen due to an incorrect state transition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
In setDataSource of initMediaExtractor.cpp, there is a possibility of arbitrary code execution due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In several functions that parse avrc response in avrc_pars_ct.cc and related files, there are possible out of bounds reads due to integer overflows. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In toLanguageTag of LocaleListCache.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In toLanguageTag of LocaleListCache.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In SendIncDecRestoreCmdPart2 of NxpMfcReader.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In BNEP_ConnectResp of bnep_api.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In applyKeyguardFlags of NotificationShadeWindowControllerImpl.java, there is a possible way to observe the user's password on a secondary display due to an insecure default value. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Apache CXF before versions 3.5.5 and 3.4.10 allows an attacker to perform a remote directory listing or code exfiltration. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Debug tool in Secomea SiteManager allows logged-in administrator to modify system state in an unintended manner. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PHP Remote File Inclusion in GitHub repository tsolucio/corebos prior to 8.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Netty project is an event-driven asynchronous network application framework. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
SAP Disclosure Management - version 10.1, allows an authenticated attacker to exploit certain misconfigured application endpoints to read sensitive data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP Solution Manager (Diagnostic Agent) - version 7.20, allows an authenticated attacker on Windows system to access a file containing sensitive data which can be used to access a configuration file. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A cleartext storage of sensitive information vulnerability exists in PcVue versions 8.10 through 15.2.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Donation Button WordPress plugin through 4.0.0 does not properly check for privileges and nonce tokens in its "donation_button_twilio_send_test_sms" AJAX action, which may allow any users with an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Motors WordPress plugin before 1.4.4 does not properly validate uploaded files for dangerous file types (such as .php) in an AJAX action, allowing an attacker to sign up on a victim's WordPress. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Booking calendar, Appointment Booking System WordPress plugin before 3.2.2 does not validate uploaded files, which could allow unauthenticated users to upload arbitrary files, such as PHP and. 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 Directorist WordPress plugin before 7.4.2.2 suffers from an IDOR vulnerability which an attacker can exploit to change the password of arbitrary users instead of his own. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Listingo WordPress theme before 3.2.7 does not validate files to be uploaded via an AJAX action available to unauthenticated users, which could allow them to upload arbitrary files and lead to 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.
An Out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service could allow a local attacker to disclose sensitive information on affected installations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One and Apex One as a Service could allow a local attacker to disclose sensitive information on affected installations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
HCL Launch could allow a user with administrative privileges, including "Manage Security" permissions, the ability to recover a credential previously saved for performing authenticated LDAP searches. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
HP Support Assistant uses HP Performance Tune-up as a diagnostic tool. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A security vulnerability has been identified in HPE Nimble Storage Hybrid Flash Arrays and HPE Nimble Storage Secondary Flash Arrays which could potentially allow local disclosure of sensitive. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability in Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE Nimble Storage Hybrid Flash Arrays and Nimble Storage Secondary Flash Arrays. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerabilities in the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise command line interface allow remote authenticated users to run arbitrary commands on the underlying host. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerabilities in the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise command line interface allow remote authenticated users to run arbitrary commands on the underlying host. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerabilities in the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise command line interface allow remote authenticated users to run arbitrary commands on the underlying host. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerabilities in the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise command line interface allow remote authenticated users to run arbitrary commands on the underlying host. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability exists in the API of Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Aruba has identified certain configurations of ArubaOS that can lead to sensitive information disclosure from the configured ESSIDs. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.