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 (69590)
A reordering issue exists in Telegram before 7.8.1 for Android, Telegram before 7.8.3 for iOS, and Telegram Desktop before 2.8.8. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was reported on some Lenovo Notebook systems that could allow an attacker with physical access to elevate privileges under certain conditions during a BIOS update performed by Lenovo. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Some Lenovo Notebook, ThinkPad, and Lenovo Desktop systems have BIOS modules unprotected by Intel Boot Guard that could allow an attacker with physical access the ability to write to the SPI flash. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows AppX Deployment Extensions Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Office Online Server Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
GDI+ Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Zebra IP Routing Manager functionality of D-LINK DIR-3040 1.13B03. 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 information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Syslog functionality of D-LINK DIR-3040 1.13B03. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
sharkdp BAT before 0.18.2 executes less.exe from the current working directory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS, which only affects the release 18.4R2-S5, where a function is inconsistently implemented on Juniper Networks Junos QFX5000 Series and EX4600 Series, and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in the processing of specially crafted LLDP frames by the Layer 2 Control Protocol Daemon (l2cpd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved may allow an. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unisys Stealth 5.1 before 5.1.025.0 and 6.0 before 6.0.055.0 has an unquoted Windows search path for a scheduled task. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Gatsby is a framework for building websites. 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.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 could allow a user to impersonate another user on the system. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system by sending a specially crafted request. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by a local user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 could reveal highly sensitive information to a local privileged user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 reveals version information in HTTP requests that could be used in further attacks against the system. 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.
IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
For Eclipse Jetty versions 9.4.37-9.4.42, 10.0.1-10.0.5 & 11.0.1-11.0.5, URIs can be crafted using some encoded characters to access the content of the WEB-INF directory and/or bypass some security. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
MuWire is a file publishing and networking tool that protects the identity of its users by using I2P technology. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Dell Wyse Management Suite versions 3.2 and earlier contain a full path disclosure vulnerability. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
Icinga is a monitoring system which checks the availability of network resources, notifies users of outages, and generates performance data for reporting. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Division-By-Zero vulnerability in Libvips 8.10.5 in the function vips_eye_point, eye.c#L83, and function vips_mask_point, mask.c#L85. 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.
A Divide-by-zero vulnerability exists in JasPer Image Coding Toolkit 2.0 in jasper/src/libjasper/jpc/jpc_enc.c. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
iDrive RemotePC before 7.6.48 on Windows allows information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
iDrive RemotePC before 7.6.48 on Windows allows information disclosure. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
iDrive RemotePC before 7.6.48 on Windows allows information disclosure. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The crypto/tls package of Go through 1.16.5 does not properly assert that the type of public key in an X.509 certificate matches the expected type when doing a RSA based key exchange, allowing a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision vulnerability in Rancher allows users in the cluster to act as others users in the cluster by forging the "Impersonate-User" or. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerability in Rancher allows users in the cluster to modify resources they should not have access to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Microsoft Exchange Server contains a privilege escalation vulnerability in the PowerShell backend that allows authenticated Exchange users to escalate to Exchange admin, the second component of the ProxyShell attack chain.
Microsoft SharePoint Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Microsoft SharePoint Server Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Storage Spaces Controller Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Integer Overflow vulnerability could allow attackers to cause unexpected behavior through arithmetic overflow.
Storage Spaces Controller Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Integer Overflow vulnerability could allow attackers to cause unexpected behavior through arithmetic overflow.
Storage Spaces Controller Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Integer Overflow vulnerability could allow attackers to cause unexpected behavior through arithmetic overflow.
Storage Spaces Controller Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Assistance Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Kernel Memory Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Windows GDI Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Use After Free vulnerability could allow attackers to access freed memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.
Windows GDI Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Certificate Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Win32k Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Visual Studio Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows SMB Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Windows Authenticode Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Event Tracing Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Open Enclave SDK Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Exchange Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Installer Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Key Distribution Center Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Media Foundation Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Desktop Bridge Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Bing Search Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure Control Expert (all versions prior to V15.0 SP1, including all versions of Unity Pro), EcoStruxure Process Expert (all. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure Control Expert (all versions prior to V15.0 SP1, including all versions of Unity Pro), EcoStruxure Process Expert (all. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Password autocomplete vulnerability in the web application password field of Hitachi ABB Power Grids eSOMS allows attacker to gain access to user credentials that are stored by the browser. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Apache Teaclave Rust SGX SDK 1.1.3, a side-channel vulnerability in base64 PEM file decoding allows system-level (administrator) attackers to obtain information about secret RSA keys via a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
In isRealSnapshot of TaskThumbnailView.java, there is possible data exposure due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In generateFileInfo of BluetoothOppSendFileInfo.java, there is a possible way to share private files over Bluetooth due to a confused deputy. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In onCreateOptionsMenu of WifiNetworkDetailsFragment.java, there is a possible way for guest users to view and modify Wi-Fi settings for all configured APs due to a permissions bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In encodeFrames of avc_enc_fuzzer.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a double free. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In scheduleTimeoutLocked of NotificationRecord.java, there is a possible disclosure of a sensitive identifier via broadcasted intent due to a confused deputy. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In notifyProfileAdded and notifyProfileRemoved of SipService.java, there is a possible way to retrieve SIP account names due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phNciNfc_RecvMfResp of phNxpExtns_MifareStd.cpp, 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 sendNetworkConditionsBroadcast of NetworkMonitor.java, there is a possible way for a privileged app to receive WiFi BSSID and SSID without location permissions due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In processInboundMessage of MceStateMachine.java, there is a possible SMS disclosure due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Wi-Fi, there is a possible leak of location-sensitive data due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Trusted Firmware Mbed TLS 2.24.0, a side-channel vulnerability in base64 PEM file decoding allows system-level (administrator) attackers to obtain information about secret RSA keys via a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In wolfSSL through 4.6.0, a side-channel vulnerability in base64 PEM file decoding allows system-level (administrator) attackers to obtain information about secret RSA keys via a controlled-channel. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When user with insufficient privileges tries to access any application in SAP NetWeaver Administrator (Administrator applications), version - 7.50, no security audit log is created. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver AS JAVA (Enterprise Portal), versions - 7.10, 7.20, 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50 reveals sensitive information in one of their HTTP requests, an attacker can use this in conjunction with. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), 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.
SAP Web Dispatcher and Internet Communication Manager (ICM), versions - KRNL32NUC 7.21, 7.21EXT, 7.22, 7.22EXT, KRNL32UC 7.21, 7.21EXT, 7.22, 7.22EXT, KRNL64NUC 7.21, 7.21EXT, 7.22, 7.22EXT, 7.49,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver ABAP Server and ABAP Platform, versions - 700, 702, 730, 731, 804, 740, 750, 784, expose functions to external which can lead to information disclosure. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.