Secrets leakage refers to the unintentional exposure of sensitive data, such as passwords, API keys, cryptographic keys, or tokens, through software, configuration files, version control systems, or other tools. This can occur due to improper handling of secrets, misconfigured access controls, or accidental inclusion of confidential information in public repositories or logs. Secrets leakage poses significant security risks, as attackers can exploit leaked credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems, data, and services. Preventing secrets leakage involves implementing secure coding practices, using dedicated secret management tools, regularly scanning codebases for exposed secrets, and educating developers about the risks and best practices for handling sensitive information.