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 (69728)
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Print Configuration Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows WalletService Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Function Discovery SSDP Provider Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows MSCTF Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Canonical Display Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Remote Access Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Client Side Rendering Print Provider Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microsoft SharePoint Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Microsoft SharePoint Server Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Microsoft SharePoint Server Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Win32k Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Bind Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Port Class Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Error Reporting Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Remote Desktop Protocol Client Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows WalletService Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
DirectX Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0).
Remote Desktop Protocol Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Azure Sphere Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5). Public exploit code available.
Azure Sphere Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Permission Assignment vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to misconfigured permissions.
Azure Sphere Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4).
Azure Sphere Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9).
Azure Sphere Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Azure Sphere Tampering Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7).
Azure Sphere Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1).
Microsoft SharePoint Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Ilex International Sign&go Workstation Security Suite 7.1 allows elevation of privileges via a symlink attack on ProgramData\Ilex\S&G\Logs\000-sngWSService1.log. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the TCL Android Smart TV series V8-R851T02-LF1 V295 and below and V8-T658T01-LF1 V373 and below by TCL Technology Group Corporation allows a local unprivileged attacker, such as a. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the TCL Android Smart TV series V8-R851T02-LF1 V295 and below and V8-T658T01-LF1 V373 and below by TCL Technology Group Corporation allows an attacker on the adjacent network to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP (Web Dynpro), versions - 731, 740, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 782, allows an authenticated user to access Web Dynpro components, that allows them to read and delete database. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP (Web Dynpro), versions - 731, 740, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 782, allows an authenticated user to access Web Dynpro components, which reveals sensitive system information. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP Process Integration (PGP Module - Business-to-Business Add On), version - 1.0, allows an attacker to read PGP Keys under certain conditions in the PGP Module of Business-to-Business Add-On, these. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
This affects all versions of package json-ptr. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The frame touch module does not make validity judgments on parameter lengths when processing specific parameters,which caused out of the boundary when memory access.The vulnerability eventually leads. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, and 4.0 stores user credentials in plain in clear text which can be read by a local user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability could allow attackers to obtain user credentials due to weak protection mechanisms.
In callCallbackForRequest of ConnectivityService.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In updateNotification of BeamTransferManager.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to an unsafe PendingIntent. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In rw_i93_sm_format of rw_i93.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to uninitialized data. 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.
In getPhoneAccountsForPackage of TelecomServiceImpl.java, there is a possible way to access a tracking 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.
In send_vc of res_send.cpp, 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. This Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability could allow attackers to read data from memory outside the intended buffer boundaries.
gdm3 versions before 3.36.2 or 3.38.2 would start gnome-initial-setup if gdm3 can't contact the accountservice service via dbus in a timely manner; on Ubuntu (and potentially derivatives) this could. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Security Virtual Appliance (IMSVA) 9.1 has updated a specific critical library that may vulnerable to attack. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Security Virtual Appliance (IMSVA) 9.1 stores administrative passwords using a hash that is considered outdated. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Security Virtual Appliance (IMSVA) 9.1 is vulnerable to an information disclosure vulnerability which could allow an attacker to access a specific database and key. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
IBM Maximo Spatial Asset Management 7.6.0.3, 7.6.0.4, 7.6.0.5, and 7.6.1.0 allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Microweber 1.1.18 is affected by insufficient session expiration. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Microweber v1.1.18 is affected by no session expiry after log-out. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The implementation of Brave Desktop's privacy-preserving analytics system (P3A) between 1.1 and 1.18.35 logged the timestamp of when the user last opened an incognito window, including Tor windows. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A cryptographic issue in Nextcloud Server 19.0.1 allowed an attacker to downgrade the encryption scheme and break the integrity of encrypted files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1). Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A wrong generation of the passphrase for the encrypted block in Nextcloud Server 19.0.1 allowed an attacker to overwrite blocks in a file. 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.
When in maintenance mode, Magento version 2.4.0 and 2.3.4 (and earlier) are affected by an information disclosure vulnerability that could expose the installation path during build deployments. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Magento versions 2.4.0 and 2.3.5 (and earlier) are affected by an SQL Injection vulnerability that could lead to sensitive information disclosure. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PackageKit provided detailed error messages to unprivileged callers that exposed information about file presence and mimetype of files that the user would be unable to determine on its own. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to cause a targeted AnyConnect user to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the interprocess communication (IPC) channel of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows could allow an authenticated, local attacker to read arbitrary files on the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Microsoft Active Directory integration of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the video endpoint API (xAPI) of Cisco TelePresence Collaboration Endpoint (CE) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to gain access to sensitive information on an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the REST API of Cisco Edge Fog Fabric could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to access files outside of their authorization sphere on an affected device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SANtricity OS Controller Software versions 11.50.1 and higher are susceptible to a vulnerability which could allow an attacker to discover sensitive information by intercepting its transmission. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A DLL hijacking vulnerability in the B. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 6.2.7.3, 6.2.7.4, 7.0.3.0, and 7.0.4.0 could disclose sensitive information to an authenticated user that could be used in further attacks against the system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 6.2.7.3, 6.2.7.4, 7.0.3.0, and 7.0.4.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Synopsys hub-rest-api-python (aka blackduck on PyPI) version 0.0.25 - 0.0.52 does not validate SSL certificates in certain cases. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
In Play Framework 2.6.0 through 2.8.2, stack consumption can occur because of unbounded recursion during parsing of crafted JSON documents. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Play Framework 2.6.0 through 2.8.2, data amplification can occur when an application accepts multipart/form-data JSON input. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Visual Components (owned by KUKA) is a robotic simulator that allows simulating factories and robots in order toimprove planning and decision-making processes. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) before 1.17.2 and 1.18.x before 1.18.3 allows unbounded recursion via an ASN.1-encoded Kerberos message because the lib/krb5/asn.1/asn1_encode.c support for BER indefinite. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
The TLS module within SaltStack Salt through 3002 creates certificates with weak file permissions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cellinx NVT Web Server 5.0.0.014b.test 2019-09-05 allows a remote user to run commands as root via SetFileContent.cgi because authentication is on the client side. 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 Asterisk Open Source 13.x before 13.37.1, 16.x before 16.14.1, 17.x before 17.8.1, and 18.x before 18.0.1 and Certified Asterisk before 16.8-cert5. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
libmaxminddb before 1.4.3 has a heap-based buffer over-read in dump_entry_data_list in maxminddb.c. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Resource management error vulnerability in TCP/IP function included in the firmware of GT14 Model of GOT 1000 series (GT1455-QTBDE CoreOS version "05.65.00.BD" and earlier, GT1450-QMBDE CoreOS. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in TCP/IP function included in the firmware of GT14 Model of GOT 1000 series (GT1455-QTBDE CoreOS version ’05.65.00.BD’ and earlier, GT1450-QMBDE CoreOS version. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Session fixation vulnerability in TCP/IP function included in the firmware of GT14 Model of GOT 1000 series (GT1455-QTBDE CoreOS version "05.65.00.BD" and earlier, GT1450-QMBDE CoreOS version. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation vulnerability in Cybozu Garoon 5.0.0 to 5.0.2 allows a remote authenticated attacker to delete some data of the bulletin board via unspecified vector. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A local elevation of privilege using physical access security vulnerability was found in HPE Proliant Gen10 Servers using Intel Innovation Engine (IE). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A ZTE product is impacted by an information leak vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.