Misconfigured Session Tokens
TLDR: Misconfigured session tokens can lead to security vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access, session hijacking, and data exposure. Issues like improper storage, lack of expiration, or insecure generation weaken the security of user sessions in web applications and APIs. Proper management of session tokens, a critical element of authentication systems since the early 2000s, is essential for robust application security.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_(computer_science)
One frequent issue is storing session tokens insecurely, such as in localStorage or sessionStorage, which are vulnerable to XSS attacks. Similarly, failing to configure token expiration allows attackers to misuse stolen tokens indefinitely. Poorly generated tokens, such as those using predictable patterns or weak randomness, increase the risk of token forgery and unauthorized access. These oversights compromise the integrity and confidentiality of user sessions.
https://owasp.org/www-project-session-management-cheat-sheet/
To mitigate these risks, developers should use HttpOnly cookies for secure token storage, ensuring that tokens are inaccessible to client-side scripts. Setting appropriate expiration times and implementing token invalidation mechanisms, such as on logout or credential updates, reduces exposure to compromised tokens. Securely generating tokens with cryptographically strong randomness and auditing token management policies regularly ensures robust session token configurations that enhance application security.