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 (69500)
Adobe Audition versions 14.4 (and earlier), and 22.0 (and earlier)are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.3 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Premiere Rush versions 1.5.16 (and earlier) allows access to an uninitialized pointer vulnerability that allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected installations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Adobe Premiere Rush versions 1.5.16 (and earlier) allows access to an uninitialized pointer vulnerability that allows remote attackers to disclose arbitrary data on affected installations. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A user of a machine protected by SafeNet Agent for Windows Logon may leverage weak entropy to access the encrypted credentials of any or all the users on that machine. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Fuji Electric V-Server Lite and Tellus Lite V-Simulator prior to v4.0.12.0 is vulnerable to an out-of-bounds read, which may allow an attacker to read sensitive information from other memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Fuji Electric V-Server Lite and Tellus Lite V-Simulator prior to v4.0.12.0 is vulnerable to an access of uninitialized pointer, which may allow an attacker read from or write to unexpected memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
It has been reported that any Orion user, e.g. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Parquet-MR of Apache Parquet allows an attacker to DoS by malicious Parquet files.9.0 and later versions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Thinfinity VirtualUI before 3.0 allows a malicious actor to enumerate users registered in the OS (Windows) through the /changePassword URI. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The SyncThru Web Service on Samsung SCX-6x55X printers allows an attacker to gain access to a list of SMB users and cleartext passwords by reading the HTML source code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Mbed TLS before 3.0.1 has a double free in certain out-of-memory conditions, as demonstrated by an mbedtls_ssl_set_session() failure. 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.
All versions of package dojo are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution via the setObject function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An incomplete string comparison in the numpy.core component in NumPy before 1.22.0 allows attackers to trigger slightly incorrect copying by constructing specific string objects. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Mattermost 6.0 and earlier fails to sufficiently validate the email address during registration, which allows attackers to trick users into signing up using attacker-controlled email addresses via. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SICK SOPAS ET before version 4.8.0 allows attackers to manipulate the command line arguments to pass in any value to the Emulator executable. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
SICK SOPAS ET before version 4.8.0 allows attackers to wrap any executable file into an SDD and provide this to a SOPAS ET user. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric GX Works2 versions 1.606G and prior allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to cause a DoS condition in GX. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Integer Underflow vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric GX Works2 versions 1.606G and prior, Mitsubishi Electric MELSOFT Navigator versions 2.84N and prior and Mitsubishi Electric EZSocket versions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric GX Works2 versions 1.606G and prior, Mitsubishi Electric MELSOFT Navigator versions 2.84N and prior and Mitsubishi Electric EZSocket versions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In apusys, 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 apusys, 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 ccu driver, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In geniezone 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 alac decoder, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Wolters Kluwer TeamMate AM 12.4 Update 1 mishandles attachment uploads, such that an authenticated user may download and execute malicious files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A misconfiguration in HTTP/1.0 and HTTP/1.1 of the web interface in TP-Link AX10v1 before V1_211117 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to send a specially crafted HTTP request and receive a. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In the TransformXML processor of Apache NiFi before 1.15.1 an authenticated user could configure an XSLT file which, if it included malicious external entity calls, may reveal sensitive information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in MediaWiki before 1.35.5, 1.36.x before 1.36.3, and 1.37.x before 1.37.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Bus Pass Management System v1.0, Directory Listing/Browsing is enabled on the web server which allows an attacker to view the sensitive files of the application, for example: Any file which. 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 combination of a use of hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability [CWE-321] in FortiClientEMS 7.0.1 and below, 6.4.6 and below and an improper certificate validation vulnerability [CWE-297] in. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
An URL Address bar spoofing vulnerability was discovered in Safe Browser for iOS. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in HTCondor before 8.8.15, 9.0.x before 9.0.4, and 9.1.x before 9.1.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The ksmbd server through 3.4.2, as used in the Linux kernel through 5.15.8, sometimes communicates in cleartext even though encryption has been enabled. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
The addon.stdin service in addon-ssh (aka Home Assistant Community Add-on: SSH & Web Terminal) before 10.0.0 has an attack surface that requires social engineering. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
KNIME Server before 4.12.6 and 4.13.x before 4.13.4 (when installed in unattended mode) keeps the administrator's password in a file without appropriate file access controls, allowing all local users. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
pep_sock_accept in net/phonet/pep.c in the Linux kernel through 5.15.8 has a refcount leak. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
A link following denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability in the Trend Micro Security (Consumer) 2021 familiy of products could allow an attacker to abuse the PC Health Checkup feature of the product to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tuleap is a Libre and Open Source tool for end to end traceability of application and system developments. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Tuleap is a Libre and Open Source tool for end to end traceability of application and system developments. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
BMC firmware (IBM Power System S821LC Server (8001-12C) OP825.50) configuration changed to allow an authenticated user to open an insecure communication channel which could allow an attacker to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
FatPipe WARP, IPVPN, and MPVPN software prior to versions 10.1.2r60p91 and 10.2.2r42 includes an account named "cmuser" that has administrative privileges and no password. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In ufshcd_eh_device_reset_handler of ufshcd.c, 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. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-192641593References: N/A. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In gadget_dev_desc_UDC_show of configfs.c, there is a possible disclosure of kernel heap memory due to a race condition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1).
In mon_smc_load_sp of gs101-sc/plat/samsung/exynos/soc/exynos9845/smc_booting.S, there is a possible reinitialization of TEE due to improper locking. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-201537251References: N/A. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-199805112References: N/A. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-199809304References: N/A. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-126949257References: N/A. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In CreateDeviceInfo of trusty_remote_provisioning_context.cpp, 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. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In do_ipt_get_ctl and do_ipt_set_ctl of ip_tables.c, there is a possible way to leak kernel information due to uninitialized data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In valid_ipc_dram_addr of cm_access_control.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In lwis_dpm_update_clock of lwis_device_dpm.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.
Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-195580473References: N/A. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In TBD of TBD, there is a possible downgrade attack due to under utilized anti-rollback protections. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In dsi_panel_debugfs_read_cmdset of dsi_panel.c, there is a possible disclosure of freed kernel heap memory due to a use after free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In (TBD) of (TBD), there is a possible out of bounds read due to memory corruption. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), 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 getMimeGroup of PackageManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In cancelNotificationsFromListener of NotificationManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In setNotificationsShownFromListener of NotificationManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In startRanging of RttServiceImpl.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In hasNamedWallpaper of WallpaperManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onCreate of RequestIgnoreBatteryOptimizations.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In adjustStreamVolume of AudioService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In getMeidForSlot of PhoneInterfaceManager.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In getNetworkTypeForSubscriber of PhoneInterfaceManager.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In checkExistsAndEnforceCannotModifyImmutablyRestrictedPermission of PermissionManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In onResume of NotificationAccessDetails.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In setPackageStoppedState of PackageManagerService.java, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In getSigningKeySet of PackageManagerService.java, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In setApplicationCategoryHint of PackageManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In btu_hcif_process_event of btu_hcif.cc, 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 several functions of DatabaseManager.java, there is a possible leak of Bluetooth MAC addresses due to log information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In getDeviceIdWithFeature of PhoneInterfaceManager.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In WT_Interpolate of eas_wtengine.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In PVInitVideoEncoder of mp4enc_api.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a heap buffer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In 'ih264e_find_bskip_params()' of ih264e_me.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a heap buffer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), 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 handleUpdateNetworkState of GnssNetworkConnectivityHandler.java , there is a possible APN disclosure due to log information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In nfaHciCallback of HciEventManager.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.5), 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 registerSuggestionConnectionStatusListener of WifiServiceImpl.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In requestRouteToHostAddress of ConnectivityService.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to a missing permission check. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In OnMetadataChangedListener of AdvancedBluetoothDetailsHeaderController.java, there is a possible leak of Bluetooth MAC addresses due to log information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In getDeviceId of PhoneSubInfoController.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In hasManageOngoingCallsPermission of TelecomServiceImpl.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In getLaunchedFromUid and getLaunchedFromPackage of ActivityClientController.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In getNeighboringCellInfo of PhoneInterfaceManager.java, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to side channel information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In hasGrantedPolicy of DevicePolicyManagerService.java, there is a possible information disclosure about the device owner, profile owner, or device admin due to a logic error in the code. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.