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 (69325)
x86 pv: Insufficient care with non-coherent mappings T[his CNA information record relates to multiple CVEs; the text explains which aspects/vulnerabilities correspond to which CVE.] Xen maintains a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
x86 pv: Race condition in typeref acquisition Xen maintains a type reference count for pages, in addition to a regular reference count. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4).
An improper control of interaction frequency vulnerability in Zyxel GS1200 series switches could allow a local attacker to guess the password by using a timing side-channel attack. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
ZTE's MF297D product has cryptographic issues vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Trilogy is a client library for MySQL. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Use of Uninitialized Resource vulnerability could allow attackers to access uninitialized memory causing crashes or information disclosure.
Vyper is a Pythonic Smart Contract Language for the ethereum virtual machine. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
silverstripe-omnipay is a SilverStripe integration with Omnipay PHP payments library. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
ownCloud owncloud/core before 10.10.0 Improperly Removes Sensitive Information Before Storage or Transfer. 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 the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) 6.07.100. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
LibreHealth EHR Base 2.0.0 allows incorrect interface/super/manage_site_files.php access. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A local file inclusion vulnerability in Razer Sila Gaming Router v2.0.441_api-2.0.418 allows attackers to read arbitrary files. 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.
The keep for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. 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 issue was discovered in certain Verbatim drives through 2022-03-31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
As a result of an observable discrepancy in returned messages, OPSWAT MetaDefender Core (MDCore) before 5.1.2 could allow an authenticated user to enumerate filenames on the server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in certain Verbatim drives through 2022-03-31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in certain Verbatim drives through 2022-03-31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in certain Verbatim drives through 2022-03-31. 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.
Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm vulnerability in Air Conditioning System G-150AD Ver. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
FileZilla v3.59.0 allows attackers to obtain cleartext passwords of connected SSH or FTP servers via a memory dump.- NOTE: the vendor does not consider this a vulnerability. 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.
Unprotected dynamic receiver in Samsung Members prior to version 4.2.005 allows attacker to launch arbitrary activity. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to 13.2.00.6 allows attackers to get the data of contact and gallery without permission. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information exposure vulnerability in FmmExtraOperation of Find My Mobile prior to 7.2.24.12 allows local attackers with log access permissio to get sim card information through device log. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information exposure vulnerability in SimChangeAlertManger of Find My Mobile prior to 7.2.24.12 allows local attackers with log access permission to get sim card information through device. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper auto-fill algorithm in Samsung Internet prior to version 17.0.1.69 allows physical attackers to guess stored credit card numbers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper check in Loader in Samsung Internet prior to 17.0.1.69 allows attackers to spoof address bar via executing script. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Implicit Intent hijacking vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to version 13.2.00.6 allows attackers to get email ID. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to 13.2.00.6 allows attackers to get the data of contact and gallery without permission. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper privilege management vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to 13.2.00.6 allows attackers to get the access_token without permission. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information exposure in Sign-out log in Samsung Account prior to version 13.2.00.6 allows attackers to get an user email or phone number without permission. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information exposure in Sign-in log in Samsung Account prior to version 13.2.00.6 allows attackers to get an user email or phone number without permission. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to version 13.2.00.6 allows attacker to access sensitive information via onActivityResult. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information exposure vulnerability in ScanPool prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows local attackers to get MAC address information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of insufficient permissions vulnerability in addAppPackageNameToAllowList in PersonaManagerService prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows local attackers to set some setting value. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Implicit Intent hijacking vulnerability in Settings prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows attackers to get Wi-Fi SSID and password via a malicious QR code scanner. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unprotected component vulnerability in DeviceSearchTrampoline in SecSettingsIntelligence prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows local attackers to launch activities of SecSettingsIntelligence. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Broadcasting Intent including the BluetoothDevice object without proper restriction of receivers in sendIntentSessionError function of Bluetooth prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 leaks MAC address of. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Broadcasting Intent including the BluetoothDevice object without proper restriction of receivers in sendIntentSessionCompleted function of Bluetooth prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 leaks MAC address. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Broadcasting Intent including the BluetoothDevice object without proper restriction of receivers in activateVoiceRecognitionWithDevice function of Bluetooth prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 leaks MAC. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unprotected broadcast in sendIntentForToastDumpLog in DisplayToast prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows untrusted applications to access toast message information from device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Information exposure vulnerability in SemIWCMonitor prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows local attackers to get MAC address information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper validation vulnerability in LSOItemData prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows attackers to launch certain activities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper validation vulnerability in KfaOptions prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows attackers to launch certain activities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper validation vulnerability in FeedsInfo prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows attackers to launch certain activities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper validation vulnerability in RemoteViews prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows attackers to launch certain activities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information exposure in low-battery dumpstate log prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 allows local attackers to get SIM card information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WatchGuard Firebox and XTM appliances allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to delete arbitrary files from a limited set of directories on the system. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
jmespath.rb (aka JMESPath for Ruby) before 1.6.1 uses JSON.load in a situation where JSON.parse is preferable. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Gradle Enterprise through 2022.2.2 has Incorrect Access Control that leads to information disclosure. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Gradle Enterprise through 2022.2.2 has Incorrect Access Control that leads to code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Credentials are printed in clear text in the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0.0 through 10.1.9.3 virgo log file in certain cases. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Clusters using Calico (version 3.22.1 and below), Calico Enterprise (version 3.12.0 and below), may be vulnerable to route hijacking with the floating IP feature. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In WLAN driver, 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. No vendor patch available.
In WLAN driver, 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. No vendor patch available.
In telephony, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telephony, there is a possible information disclosure due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In imgsensor, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In imgsensor, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An account takeover issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions starting from 11.10 before 14.9.5, all versions starting from 14.10 before 14.10.4, all versions starting from 15.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An unauthenticated attacker can send a specially crafted packets to update the “notes” section of the home page of the web interface. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An unauthenticated attacker can send a specially crafted network packet to delete a user from the web interface. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An unauthenticated attacker could arbitrarily upload firmware files to the target device, ultimately causing a Denial-of-Service (DoS). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 10.8 before 14.9.5, all versions starting from 14.10 before 14.10.4, all versions starting from 15.0 before 15.0.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 14.3 before 14.9.5, all versions starting from 14.10 before 14.10.4, all versions starting from 15.0 before 15.0.1. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The Linux kernel before 5.17.9 allows TCP servers to identify clients by observing what source ports are used. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
PublicCMS V4.0.202204.a and below contains an information leak via the component /views/directive/sys/SysConfigDataDirective.java. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An access control issue in aleksis/core/util/auth_helpers.py: ClientProtectedResourceMixin of AlekSIS-Core v2.8.1 and below allows attackers to access arbitrary scopes if no allowed scopes are. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
qDecoder before 12.1.0 does not ensure that the percent character is followed by two hex digits for URL decoding. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data vulnerability exists that could allow authentication credentials to be recovered when an attacker breaks the encoding. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A CWE-20: Improper Input Validation vulnerability exists that could allow the product to be maliciously manipulated when the user is tricked into performing certain actions on a webpage. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Owl Labs Meeting Owl 5.2.0.15 allows attackers to retrieve the passcode hash via a certain c 10 value over Bluetooth. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Dell Unity, Dell UnityVSA, and Dell Unity XT versions prior to 5.2.0.0.5.173 contain a plain-text password storage vulnerability when certain off-array tools are run on the system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell Unity, Dell UnityVSA, and Dell Unity XT versions before 5.2.0.0.5.173 do not restrict excessive authentication attempts in Unisphere GUI. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerStore versions 2.0.0.x, 2.0.1.x and 2.1.0.x contains an open port vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell PowerStore Versions before v2.1.1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PowerStore contains Plain-Text Password Storage Vulnerability in PowerStore X & T environments running versions 2.0.0.x and 2.0.1.x A locally authenticated attacker could potentially exploit this. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Play Framework is a web framework for Java and Scala. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Solutions Atlantic Regulatory Reporting System (RRS) v500 is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion (LFI). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Percona XtraBackup 2.4.20 unintentionally writes the command line to any resulting backup file output. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
libdwarf 0.4.0 has a heap-based buffer over-read in _dwarf_check_string_valid in dwarf_util.c. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Online Fire Reporting System v1.0 is vulnerable to Delete any file via /ofrs/classes/Master.php?f=delete_img. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
ChatBot App with Suggestion v1.0 is vulnerable to Delete any file via /simple_chat_bot/classes/Master.php?f=delete_img. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Rescue Dispatch Management System v1.0 is vulnerable to Delete any file via /rdms/classes/Master.php?f=delete_img. 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.
Bottle before 0.12.20 mishandles errors during early request binding. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
libjpeg 1.63 has a heap-based buffer over-read in HierarchicalBitmapRequester::FetchRegion in hierarchicalbitmaprequester.cpp because the MCU size can be different between allocation and use. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), 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.
Online Car Wash Booking System v1.0 is vulnerable to Delete any file via /ocwbs/classes/Master.php?f=delete_img. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
CVEProject/cve-services is an open source project used to operate the CVE services API. 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.
Nginx NJS v0.7.2 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation in the function njs_set_number at src/njs_value.h. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
BD Synapsys™, versions 4.20, 4.20 SR1, and 4.30, contain an insufficient session expiration vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Nginx NJS v0.7.2 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation in the function njs_array_prototype_sort at src/njs_array.c. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Nginx NJS v0.7.2 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation in the function njs_value_own_enumerate at src/njs_value.c. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.