A1:2021 | Spoofing an Authentication Cookie (1) | Cycubix Docs

Concept

Authentication cookies are used for services that require authentication. When a user logs in with a personal username and password, the server verifies the provided credentials. If they are valid, it creates a session.

Typically, each session is assigned a unique ID that identifies the user’s session. When the server sends a response back to the user, it includes a "Set-Cookie" header that contains, among other things, the cookie name and value.

The authentication cookie is usually stored on both the client and server sides.

On one hand, storing the cookie on the client side means it can be susceptible to theft through exploiting certain vulnerabilities or interception via man-in-the-middle attacks or XSS. On the other hand, the cookie values can be guessed if the algorithm used to generate the cookie is obtained.

Many applications will automatically log in a user if the correct authentication cookie is provided.

Goals

The user should NOT be able to guess the cookie generation algorithm and bypass the authentication mechanism by logging in as a different user.

Rationale

It is crucial for the security of the authentication system that the cookie generation algorithm remains secure and not easily guessable.

If an attacker can predict or determine the algorithm, they may be able to generate valid authentication cookies for different users, thereby bypassing the authentication mechanism and impersonating other users.

To mitigate this risk, it is essential to employ robust and cryptographically secure algorithms for generating authentication cookies. These algorithms should use strong randomization and hashing techniques to ensure the uniqueness and unpredictability of the generated cookies.

Additionally, implementing measures such as session expiration and regular rotation of authentication cookies can further enhance security. By frequently changing the cookie values and enforcing session timeouts, the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit any potential vulnerabilities is significantly reduced.