What it is
Data exposure occurs when sensitive information such as personal data, credentials, internal documents, or system metadata is made accessible beyond its intended audience. This can happen through misconfigured databases, open cloud storage, verbose error messages, unsecured APIs, or overly permissive access controls.
Why it matters
Exposed data can lead to regulatory fines, reputational damage, identity theft, and follow-on attacks. Even seemingly low-risk data like system versions or internal IDs can help attackers map environments and chain vulnerabilities. Data exposure is often silent and persistent until actively discovered.
How to reduce risk
- Classify and restrict access to sensitive data.
- Secure databases, storage buckets, and backups.
- Minimize data returned by APIs and error messages.
- Continuously monitor external data exposure.