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 (69707)
Windows Resource Manager PSM Service Extension Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows GDI+ Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft Windows Codecs Library Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Hyper-V Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
NTFS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Kernel Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
RPC Endpoint Mapper Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Secure Kernel Mode Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Event Tracing Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Media Photo Codec Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
Azure DevOps Server and Team Foundation Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Visual Studio Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Overlay Filter Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Installer Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to unauthenticated arbitrary file delete vulnerability induced due to improper input validation in meta_driver_srv.js class with. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to authenticated arbitrary file delete vulnerability induced due to improper input validation at server/maps_srv.js with action. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Under certain conditions SAP Solution Manager, version - 720, allows a high privileged attacker to get access to sensitive information which has a direct serious impact beyond the exploitable. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver Master Data Management, versions - 710, 710.750, allows a malicious unauthorized user with access to the MDM Server subnet to find the password using a brute force method. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In decrypt_1_2 of CryptoPlugin.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an integer 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 onActivityResult of QuickContactActivity.java, there is an unnecessary return of an intent. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In several functions of ScreenshotHelper.java and related files, there is a possible incorrectly saved screenshot due to a race condition. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required.
In CryptoPlugin::decrypt of CryptoPlugin.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to integer overflow. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In avrc_proc_vendor_command of avrc_api.cc, there is a possible leak of heap data due to uninitialized data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In avrc_msg_cback of avrc_api.cc, 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. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
In getSimSerialNumber of TelephonyManager.java, there is a possible way to read a trackable identifier due to a missing permission check. 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.
An issue was discovered in Wind River VxWorks 7 before 21.03. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A ZTE product is impacted by improper access control vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An insecure file permissions vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Apex One as a Service and OfficeScan XG SP1 could allow a local attacker to take control of a specific log file on affected. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Trend Micro Apex One as a Service and OfficeScan XG SP1 on a sensitive file could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When starting Apache Solr versions prior to 8.8.2, configured with the SaslZkACLProvider or VMParamsAllAndReadonlyDigestZkACLProvider and no existing security.json znode, if the optional read-only. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Siren Federate before 6.8.14-10.3.9, 6.9.x through 7.6.x before 7.6.2-20.2, 7.7.x through 7.9.x before 7.9.3-21.6, 7.10.x before 7.10.2-22.2, and 7.11.x before 7.11.2-23.0 can leak user information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Gradle before version 7.0, files created with open permissions in the system temporary directory can allow an attacker to access information downloaded by Gradle. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In ASUS RT-AX3000, ZenWiFi AX (XT8), RT-AX88U, and other ASUS routers with firmware < 3.0.0.4.386.42095 or < 9.0.0.4.386.41994, when IPv6 is used, a routing loop can occur that generates excessive. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In TP-Link TL-XDR3230 < 1.0.12, TL-XDR1850 < 1.0.9, TL-XDR1860 < 1.0.14, TL-XDR3250 < 1.0.2, TL-XDR6060 Turbo < 1.1.8, TL-XDR5430 < 1.0.11, and possibly others, when IPv6 is used, a routing loop can. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Gargoyle OS 1.12.0, when IPv6 is used, a routing loop can occur that generates excessive network traffic between an affected device and its upstream ISP's router. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A clear text storage of sensitive information into log file vulnerability in FortiADCManager 5.3.0 and below, 5.2.1 and below and FortiADC 5.3.7 and below may allow a remote authenticated attacker to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Jetpack Scan team identified a Local File Disclosure vulnerability in the Patreon WordPress plugin before 1.7.0 that could be abused by anyone visiting the site. 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.
In the AccessAlly WordPress plugin before 3.5.7, the file "resource/frontend/product/product-shortcode.php" responsible for the [accessally_order_form] shortcode is dumping serialize($_SERVER), 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.
This affects the package swiper before 6.5.1. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
This affects the package chrono-node before 2.2.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
INTELBRAS TELEFONE IP TIP200 version 60.61.75.22 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information through /cgi-bin/cgiServer.exx. 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.
In the standard library in Rust before 1.52.0, the Zip implementation has a panic safety issue. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Out of bounds read in IPC in Google Chrome prior to 89.0.4389.114 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper handling of exceptional conditions in Bixby prior to version 3.0.53.02 allows attacker to execute the actions registered by the user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Intent redirection vulnerability in Gallery prior to version 5.4.16.1 allows attacker to execute privileged action. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper synchronization logic in Samsung Email prior to version 6.1.41.0 can leak messages in certain mailbox in plain text when STARTTLS negotiation is failed. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Using predictable index for attachments in Samsung Email prior to version 6.1.41.0 allows remote attackers to get attachments of another emails when users open the malicious attachment. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A pendingIntent hijacking vulnerability in Secure Folder prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 allows unprivileged applications to access contact information. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability that stores IMSI values in an improper path prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 allows local attackers to access IMSI values without any permission via untrusted applications. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A pendingIntent hijacking vulnerability in Create Movie prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 in Android O(8.x) and P(9.0), 3.4.81.1 in Android Q(10,0), and 3.6.80.7 in Android R(11.0) allows unprivileged. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper caller check vulnerability in Managed Provisioning prior to SMR APR-2021 Release 1 allows unprivileged application to install arbitrary application, grant device admin permission and then. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in MediaWiki before 1.31.12 and 1.32.x through 1.35.x before 1.35.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in dnsmasq in versions before 2.85. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available.
A flaw was found in Red Hat Satellite in tfm-rubygem-foreman_azure_rm in versions before 2.2.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Certificate Validation vulnerability in Micro Focus Application Automation Tools Plugin - Jenkins plugin. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Dolby Audio X2 (DAX2) API service before 0.8.8.90 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is a memory leak vulnerability in some Huawei products. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Aprelium Abyss Web Server X1 2.12.1 and 2.14. 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.
Cloud Controller API versions prior to 1.106.0 logs service broker credentials if the default value of db logging config field is changed. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VestaCP through 0.9.8-24 allows attackers to gain privileges by creating symlinks to files for which they lack permissions. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, and 8.5 is vulnerable to server-side request forgery (SSRF). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
AsIO2_64.sys and AsIO2_32.sys in ASUS GPUTweak II before 2.3.0.3 allow low-privileged users to interact directly with physical memory (by calling one of several driver routines that map physical. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM) and Cisco Unified Communications Manager Session Management Edition (Unified CM SME) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Self Care Portal of Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM) and Cisco Unified Communications Manager Session Management Edition (Unified CM SME) could allow an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the id-map crate through 2021-02-26 for Rust. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the id-map crate through 2021-02-26 for Rust. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the id-map crate through 2021-02-26 for Rust. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In the jsrsasign package through 10.1.13 for Node.js, some invalid RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 signatures are mistakenly recognized to be valid. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In FreeBSD 13.0-STABLE before n245117, 12.2-STABLE before r369551, 11.4-STABLE before r369559, 13.0-RC5 before p1, 12.2-RELEASE before p6, and 11.4-RELEASE before p9, copy-on-write logic failed to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
CERN Indico before 2.3.4 can use an attacker-supplied Host header in a password reset link. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins 2.286 and earlier, LTS 2.277.1 and earlier does not properly check that a newly created view has an allowed name, allowing attackers with View/Create permission to create views with invalid. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins 2.286 and earlier, LTS 2.277.1 and earlier does not validate the type of object created after loading the data submitted to the `config.xml` REST API endpoint of a node, allowing attackers. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Agents (formerly ObserveIT Agent) for MacOS and Linux perform improper validation of the ITM Server's certificate, which enables a remote attacker to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive smart card data is logged in default INFO logs by Teradici's PCoIP Connection Manager and Security Gateway prior to version 21.01.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
The fix for XSA-365 includes initialization of pointers such that subsequent cleanup code wouldn't use uninitialized or stale values. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A cache configuration issue prior to WhatsApp for Android v2.21.4.18 and WhatsApp Business for Android v2.21.4.18 may have allowed a third party with access to the device’s external storage to read. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Open Container Initiative umoci before 0.4.7 allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary host paths via a crafted image that causes symlink traversal when "umoci unpack" or "umoci raw unpack" is used. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk in TimelyBills <= 1.7.0 for iOS and versions <= 1.21.115 for Android allows attacker who can locally read user's files obtain JWT tokens for user's account due. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
phpseclib before 2.0.31 and 3.x before 3.0.7 mishandles RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 signature verification. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
iKuaiOS 3.4.8 Build 202012291059 has an arbitrary file download vulnerability, which can be exploited by attackers to obtain sensitive information. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Vangene deltaFlow E-platform does not take properly protective measures. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Redmine before 4.0.8 and 4.1.x before 4.1.2 allows attackers to discover the names of private projects if issue-journal details exist that have changes to project_id values. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Module/Settings/UserExport.php in Friendica through 2021.01 allows settings/userexport to be used by anonymous users, as demonstrated by an attempted access to an array offset on a value of type. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Format string vulnerability in panoFileOutputNamesCreate() in libpano13 2.9.20~rc2+dfsg-3 and earlier can lead to read and write arbitrary memory values. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The REST API endpoint get_users in the User Profile Picture WordPress plugin before 2.5.0 returned more information than was required for its functionality to users with the upload_files capability. 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.
When visiting a site running Web-Stat < 1.4.0, the "wts_web_stat_load_init" function used the visitor’s browser to send an XMLHttpRequest request to https://wts2.one/ajax.htm?action=lookup_WP_account. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In the Ninja Forms Contact Form WordPress plugin before 3.4.34.1, low-level users, such as subscribers, were able to trigger the action, wp_ajax_nf_oauth, and retrieve the connection url needed to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.