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 (69737)
Improper certificate validation for certain connections in the Bosch Smart Home System App for iOS prior to version 9.17.1 potentially allows to intercept video contents by performing a. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in all versions of Keycloak before 10.0.0, where the NodeJS adapter did not support the verify-token-audience. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sylabs Singularity through 3.6.2 has Insecure Permissions on temporary directories used in explicit and implicit container build operations, a different vulnerability than CVE-2020-25039. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sylabs Singularity 3.2.0 through 3.6.2 has Insecure Permissions on temporary directories used in fakeroot or user namespace container execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VMware Workstation (15.x) and Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) contain an information disclosure vulnerability due to an integer overflow issue in Cortado ThinPrint component. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VMware Workstation (15.x) and Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Cortado ThinPrint component (JPEG2000 parser). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VMware Workstation (15.x) and Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Cortado ThinPrint component (EMR STRETCHDIBITS parser). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
VMware Workstation (15.x) and Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Cortado ThinPrint component (EMF Parser). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM Security Trusteer Pinpoint Detect 11.6.5 could disclose some information due to using a wildcard in the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A flaw was found in all supported versions before wildfly-elytron-1.6.8.Final-redhat-00001, where the WildFlySecurityManager checks were bypassed when using custom security managers, resulting in an. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The issue appears to be that JBoss EAP 6.4.21 does not parse the field-name in accordance to RFC7230[1] as it returns a 200 instead of a 400. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins ElasTest Plugin 1.2.1 and earlier stores its server password unencrypted in its global configuration file on the Jenkins controller where it can be viewed by users with access to the Jenkins. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins Email Extension Plugin 2.75 and earlier does not perform hostname validation when connecting to the configured SMTP server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Jenkins Mailer Plugin 1.32 and earlier does not perform hostname validation when connecting to the configured SMTP server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in the Linux Kernel before 5.8-rc6 in the ZRAM kernel module, where a user with a local account and the ability to read the /sys/class/zram-control/hot_add file can create ZRAM. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Permission Assignment vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources due to misconfigured permissions.
A flaw was found in the Linux Kernel before 5.8-rc1 in the prctl() function, where it can be used to enable indirect branch speculation after it has been disabled. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel before 5.8-rc1 in the implementation of the Enhanced IBPB (Indirect Branch Prediction Barrier). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A logic bug flaw was found in Linux kernel before 5.8-rc1 in the implementation of SSBD. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A memory out-of-bounds read flaw was found in the Linux kernel before 5.9-rc2 with the ext3/ext4 file system, in the way it accesses a directory with broken indexing. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A memory disclosure flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ethernet drivers, in the way it read data from the EEPROM of the device. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in xorg-x11-server before 1.20.9. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager 6.2.0.0 - 6.2.0.2 IF 1 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.
In Gallagher Command Centre v8.20 prior to v8.20.1093(MR2) it is possible to create Guard Tour events that when accessed via things like reporting cause clients to temporarily hang or disconnect. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
On controllers running versions of v8.20 prior to vCR8.20.200221b (distributed in v8.20.1093(MR2)), v8.10 prior to vGR8.10.179 (distributed in v8.10.1211(MR5)), v8.00 prior to vGR8.00.165. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Sensitive Source Code Path Disclosure vulnerability is found in ElkarBackup v1.3.3. 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 vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8, and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the rand_core crate before 0.4.2 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 failure crate through 0.1.5 for Rust. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Logic error in BIOS firmware for 8th, 9th and 10th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) Processors may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege, denial of service and/or. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.0.12, 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 13.1.10, 13.2.8 and 13.3.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Uncontrolled search path in the QT Library before 5.14.0, 5.12.7 and 5.9.10 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable elevation of privilege via local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Dataiku DSS before 6.0.5 allows attackers write access to the project to modify the "Created by" metadata. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
CMAC verification functionality in Microchip Atmel ATSAMA5 products is vulnerable to vulnerable to timing and power analysis attacks. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
AT91bootstrap before 3.9.2 does not properly wipe encryption and authentication keys from memory before passing control to a less privileged software component. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A vulnerability that can hijack a DLL file that is loaded during products(LGPCSuite_Setup, IPSFULLHD, LG_ULTRAWIDE, ULTRA_HD_Driver Setup) installation into a DLL file that the hacker wants. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The VPN service in AVAST SecureLine before 5.6.4982.470 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via an Object Manager symbolic link from the log directory (which has weak permissions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In wp-includes/comment-template.php in WordPress before 5.4.2, comments from a post or page could sometimes be seen in the latest comments even if the post or page was not public. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
An issue was discovered on LG mobile devices with Android OS 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 8.0, and 8.1 software. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with Q(10.0) (Exynos and MediaTek chipsets) software. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in the Ansible Engine when using module_args. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
An Improper Output Neutralization for Logs flaw was found in Ansible when using the uri module, where sensitive data is exposed to content and json output. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
<p>A information disclosure vulnerability exists when TLS components use weak hash algorithms. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4).
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly initializes objects in memory.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker could run a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry Service improperly handles file operations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows InstallService improperly handles memory.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>A tampering vulnerability exists when Microsoft SharePoint Server fails to properly handle profile data. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft COM for Windows handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.9), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Wininit.dll handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Function Discovery Service handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Microsoft Windows CloudExperienceHost fails to check COM objects. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>A tampering vulnerability exists when Microsoft SharePoint Server fails to properly handle profile data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that fdSSDP.dll handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows GDI component improperly discloses the contents of its memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the win32k component improperly provides kernel information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Microsoft Excel improperly discloses the contents of its memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the StartTileData.dll handles file creation in protected locations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Windows improperly handles calls to Win32k.sys. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8).
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Store Runtime improperly handles memory.</p> <p>To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to gain execution on. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector improperly handles file operations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Diagnostics Hub Standard Collector improperly handles data operations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows Language Pack Installer improperly handles file operations. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when StartTileData.dll improperly handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the <a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx#CLFS">Windows Common Log File System (CLFS)</a> driver improperly. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Shell infrastructure component improperly handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows GDI component improperly discloses the contents of its memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows GDI component improperly discloses the contents of its memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Microsoft Windows Graphics Component improperly handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the ssdpsrv.dll handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Kernel handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Server DHCP service improperly discloses the contents of its memory.</p> <p>To exploit the vulnerability, an. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Wininit.dll handles objects in memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when a Windows Projected Filesystem improperly handles file redirections. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Microsoft Office software reads out of bound memory due to an uninitialized variable, which could disclose the contents of memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is 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.
<p>An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel improperly handles objects in memory. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the OneDrive for Windows Desktop application improperly handles symbolic links. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the OneDrive for Windows Desktop application improperly handles symbolic links. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.