Misconfigured Cookies
TLDR: Misconfigured cookies can lead to security vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access, XSS attacks, and session hijacking. Issues like missing secure flags, improper domain scoping, or lack of proper expiration undermine the security of web applications. Proper cookie management, first introduced as part of HTTP standards in the early 1990s, is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and integrity in user sessions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie
One common issue with misconfigured cookies is failing to use the `Secure` flag, which ensures that cookies are only transmitted over HTTPS connections. This oversight can allow attackers to intercept sensitive cookies during transmission. Similarly, the absence of the `HttpOnly` flag makes cookies accessible to client-side scripts, increasing the risk of XSS attacks. Another issue is improper scoping of the `Domain` and `Path` attributes, which can inadvertently expose cookies to unauthorized subdomains or paths.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Cookies
To address these risks, developers should enforce the `Secure` and `HttpOnly` flags on all sensitive cookies, including those used for session management. Properly configure `SameSite` attributes to prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks by restricting cookies to first-party contexts. Setting clear expiration times and avoiding overly permissive domain and path attributes ensure that cookies are accessible only to intended applications. Regular audits and security testing help maintain robust cookie configurations.