CWE-306
AllowedMissing Authentication for Critical Function
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.
3485 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-CWQP-W2PG-8772
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-24 18:32 – Updated: 2026-06-24 18:32Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) in the RegisterView (apps/accounts/views.py), exposed at POST /api/auth/register/, in MailerUp <1.0.1 allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to self-register a working account on instances where registration is intended to be restricted, because the endpoint applies the AllowAny permission with no email verification, CAPTCHA, or administrator approval. Any account created this way can read all email stored by the instance, resulting in full disclosure of stored messages to an arbitrary unauthenticated attacker
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-13164"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-24T17:16:56Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) in the RegisterView (apps/accounts/views.py), exposed at POST /api/auth/register/, in MailerUp \u003c1.0.1 allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to self-register a working account on instances where registration is intended to be restricted, because the endpoint applies the AllowAny permission with no email verification, CAPTCHA, or administrator approval. Any account created this way can read all email stored by the instance, resulting in full disclosure of stored messages to an arbitrary unauthenticated attacker",
"id": "GHSA-cwqp-w2pg-8772",
"modified": "2026-06-24T18:32:41Z",
"published": "2026-06-24T18:32:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-13164"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Maalfer/mailerup/commit/99eb6d4586134bf3f4422093fbf47d6794ef0ee5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://secur0.com/en/cna/cve-list/cve-2026-13164-unauthenticated-self-registration-in-mailerup-allows-access-to-stored-email-data"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-CX3R-78V3-HH67
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-09 21:31 – Updated: 2025-12-09 21:31COMMAX Smart Home System is a smart IoT home solution that allows an unauthenticated attacker to disclose RTSP credentials in plain-text by exploiting the /overview.asp endpoint. Attackers can access sensitive information, including login credentials and DVR settings, by submitting a GET request to this endpoint.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47710"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-09T21:15:50Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "COMMAX Smart Home System is a smart IoT home solution that allows an unauthenticated attacker to disclose RTSP credentials in plain-text by exploiting the /overview.asp endpoint. Attackers can access sensitive information, including login credentials and DVR settings, by submitting a GET request to this endpoint.",
"id": "GHSA-cx3r-78v3-hh67",
"modified": "2025-12-09T21:31:48Z",
"published": "2025-12-09T21:31:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47710"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.commax.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50208"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/commax-smart-home-ruvie-cctv-bridge-dvr-service-rtsp-credentials-disclosure"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2021-5665.php"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-CX3V-69QF-W6MX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-13 21:32 – Updated: 2026-07-14 18:31Multiple authorization bypass vulnerabilities in the Endpoint DLP component of Prisma Access Agent® allow a local attacker to bypass authentication controls and execute privileged operations.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-0247"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-13T19:16:58Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Multiple authorization bypass vulnerabilities in the Endpoint DLP component of Prisma Access Agent\u00ae allow a local attacker to bypass authentication controls and execute privileged operations.",
"id": "GHSA-cx3v-69qf-w6mx",
"modified": "2026-07-14T18:31:45Z",
"published": "2026-05-13T21:32:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-0247"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2026-0247"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:N/R:U/V:C/RE:M/U:Amber",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-CX47-RR8X-3GW5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:39 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:39SOOIL Developments CoLtd DiabecareRS, AnyDana-i, AnyDana-A, The communication protocol of the insulin pump and AnyDana-i,AnyDana-A mobile apps doesn't use adequate measures to authenticate the pump before exchanging keys, which allows unauthenticated, physically proximate attackers to eavesdrop the keys and spoof the pump via BLE.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-27272"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-01-19T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "SOOIL Developments CoLtd DiabecareRS, AnyDana-i, AnyDana-A, The communication protocol of the insulin pump and AnyDana-i,AnyDana-A mobile apps doesn\u0027t use adequate measures to authenticate the pump before exchanging keys, which allows unauthenticated, physically proximate attackers to eavesdrop the keys and spoof the pump via BLE.",
"id": "GHSA-cx47-rr8x-3gw5",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:39:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:39:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-27272"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsma-21-012-01"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-CX5R-6JGC-M635
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 22:28 – Updated: 2024-07-03 18:32** DISPUTED ** BIRD through 2.0.7 does not provide functionality for password authentication of BGP peers. Because of this, products that use BIRD (which may, for example, include Tigera products in some configurations, as well as products of other vendors) may have been susceptible to route redirection for Denial of Service and/or Information Disclosure. NOTE: a researcher has asserted that the behavior is within Tigera’s area of responsibility; however, Tigera disagrees.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26928"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-04T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "** DISPUTED ** BIRD through 2.0.7 does not provide functionality for password authentication of BGP peers. Because of this, products that use BIRD (which may, for example, include Tigera products in some configurations, as well as products of other vendors) may have been susceptible to route redirection for Denial of Service and/or Information Disclosure. NOTE: a researcher has asserted that the behavior is within Tigera\u2019s area of responsibility; however, Tigera disagrees.",
"id": "GHSA-cx5r-6jgc-m635",
"modified": "2024-07-03T18:32:28Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T22:28:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26928"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cyberark.com/resources/threat-research-blog/attacking-kubernetes-clusters-through-your-network-plumbing-part-2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CX9F-9G5F-369F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:27 – Updated: 2022-06-14 00:00An issue was discovered in Chadha PHPKB 9.0 Enterprise Edition. installer/test-connection.php (part of the installation process) allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to disclose local files on hosts running PHP before 7.2.16, or on hosts where the MySQL ALLOW LOCAL DATA INFILE option is enabled.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-11579"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-20",
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-09-03T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An issue was discovered in Chadha PHPKB 9.0 Enterprise Edition. installer/test-connection.php (part of the installation process) allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to disclose local files on hosts running PHP before 7.2.16, or on hosts where the MySQL ALLOW LOCAL DATA INFILE option is enabled.",
"id": "GHSA-cx9f-9g5f-369f",
"modified": "2022-06-14T00:00:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:27:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-11579"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ShielderSec/CVE-2020-11579"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://shielder.it"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.knowledgebase-script.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.phpkb.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.shielder.it/blog/mysql-and-cve-2020-11579-exploitation"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CXCW-JM67-3WWP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-21 03:31 – Updated: 2026-03-24 19:06Duplicate Advisory
This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-25gx-x37c-7pph. This link is maintained to preserve external references.
Original Description
OpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.21 sandbox browser entrypoint launches x11vnc without authentication for noVNC observer sessions, allowing unauthenticated access to the VNC interface. Remote attackers on the host loopback interface can connect to the exposed noVNC port to observe or interact with the sandbox browser without credentials.
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c 2026.2.21"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "openclaw"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-24T19:06:52Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-21T01:17:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "## Duplicate Advisory\n\nThis advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-25gx-x37c-7pph. This link is maintained to preserve external references.\n\n## Original Description\nOpenClaw versions prior to 2026.2.21 sandbox browser entrypoint launches x11vnc without authentication for noVNC observer sessions, allowing unauthenticated access to the VNC interface. Remote attackers on the host loopback interface can connect to the exposed noVNC port to observe or interact with the sandbox browser without credentials.",
"id": "GHSA-cxcw-jm67-3wwp",
"modified": "2026-03-24T19:06:52Z",
"published": "2026-03-21T03:31:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-25gx-x37c-7pph"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-32064"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/621d8e1312482f122f18c43c72c67211b141da01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/8c1518f0f3e0533593cd2dec3a46c9b746753661"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openclaw-missing-vnc-authentication-in-sandbox-browser-novnc-observer"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Duplicate Advisory: OpenClaw\u0027s andbox browser noVNC observer lacked VNC authentication",
"withdrawn": "2026-03-24T19:06:52Z"
}
GHSA-CXQ4-78FR-7WPG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-12 12:30 – Updated: 2025-12-12 12:30The Icegram Express - Email Subscribers, Newsletters and Marketing Automation Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Missing Authorization in versions up to, and including, 5.9.10. This is due to the plugin not properly verifying that a user is authorized to perform an action in the run_action_scheduler_task function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute scheduled actions early or repeatedly by guessing action IDs, potentially triggering email sends, maintenance tasks, or other privileged operations, causing unexpected state changes and resource usage.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-12348"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-12T10:15:48Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The Icegram Express - Email Subscribers, Newsletters and Marketing Automation Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Missing Authorization in versions up to, and including, 5.9.10. This is due to the plugin not properly verifying that a user is authorized to perform an action in the `run_action_scheduler_task` function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute scheduled actions early or repeatedly by guessing action IDs, potentially triggering email sends, maintenance tasks, or other privileged operations, causing unexpected state changes and resource usage.",
"id": "GHSA-cxq4-78fr-7wpg",
"modified": "2025-12-12T12:30:25Z",
"published": "2025-12-12T12:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-12348"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/email-subscribers/tags/5.9.4/lite/includes/classes/class-es-queue.php#L50"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/email-subscribers/tags/5.9.4/lite/includes/classes/class-ig-es-background-process-helper.php#L194"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3394838/email-subscribers/trunk/lite/includes/classes/class-ig-es-background-process-helper.php"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/c6ba7244-0ecf-412f-9b8b-6b81fa6cdeb5?source=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CXVJ-X6PM-6VMV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-09 21:31 – Updated: 2025-10-09 21:31Azure Entra ID Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-59246"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-09T21:15:38Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Azure Entra ID Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-cxvj-x6pm-6vmv",
"modified": "2025-10-09T21:31:12Z",
"published": "2025-10-09T21:31:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59246"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-59246"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CXWJ-2RVJ-CG44
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-25 06:30 – Updated: 2025-12-25 06:30Pexip Infinity before 39.0 has Missing Authentication for a Critical Function in a product-internal API, allowing an attacker (who already has access to execute code on one node within a Pexip Infinity installation) to impact the operation of other nodes within the installation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-66377"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-25T05:16:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Pexip Infinity before 39.0 has Missing Authentication for a Critical Function in a product-internal API, allowing an attacker (who already has access to execute code on one node within a Pexip Infinity installation) to impact the operation of other nodes within the installation.",
"id": "GHSA-cxwj-2rvj-cg44",
"modified": "2025-12-25T06:30:26Z",
"published": "2025-12-25T06:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-66377"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.pexip.com/admin/security_bulletins.htm"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
- Divide the software into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Identify which of these areas require a proven user identity, and use a centralized authentication capability.
- Identify all potential communication channels, or other means of interaction with the software, to ensure that all channels are appropriately protected, including those channels that are assumed to be accessible only by authorized parties. Developers sometimes perform authentication at the primary channel, but open up a secondary channel that is assumed to be private. For example, a login mechanism may be listening on one network port, but after successful authentication, it may open up a second port where it waits for the connection, but avoids authentication because it assumes that only the authenticated party will connect to the port.
- In general, if the software or protocol allows a single session or user state to persist across multiple connections or channels, authentication and appropriate credential management need to be used throughout.
Mitigation MIT-15
For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
Mitigation
- Where possible, avoid implementing custom, "grow-your-own" authentication routines and consider using authentication capabilities as provided by the surrounding framework, operating system, or environment. These capabilities may avoid common weaknesses that are unique to authentication; support automatic auditing and tracking; and make it easier to provide a clear separation between authentication tasks and authorization tasks.
- In environments such as the World Wide Web, the line between authentication and authorization is sometimes blurred. If custom authentication routines are required instead of those provided by the server, then these routines must be applied to every single page, since these pages could be requested directly.
Mitigation MIT-4.5
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- For example, consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator [REF-45].
Mitigation
When storing data in the cloud (e.g., S3 buckets, Azure blobs, Google Cloud Storage, etc.), use the provider's controls to require strong authentication for users who should be allowed to access the data [REF-1297] [REF-1298] [REF-1302].
CAPEC-12: Choosing Message Identifier
This pattern of attack is defined by the selection of messages distributed via multicast or public information channels that are intended for another client by determining the parameter value assigned to that client. This attack allows the adversary to gain access to potentially privileged information, and to possibly perpetrate other attacks through the distribution means by impersonation. If the channel/message being manipulated is an input rather than output mechanism for the system, (such as a command bus), this style of attack could be used to change the adversary's identifier to more a privileged one.
CAPEC-166: Force the System to Reset Values
An attacker forces the target into a previous state in order to leverage potential weaknesses in the target dependent upon a prior configuration or state-dependent factors. Even in cases where an attacker may not be able to directly control the configuration of the targeted application, they may be able to reset the configuration to a prior state since many applications implement reset functions.
CAPEC-216: Communication Channel Manipulation
An adversary manipulates a setting or parameter on communications channel in order to compromise its security. This can result in information exposure, insertion/removal of information from the communications stream, and/or potentially system compromise.
CAPEC-36: Using Unpublished Interfaces or Functionality
An adversary searches for and invokes interfaces or functionality that the target system designers did not intend to be publicly available. If interfaces fail to authenticate requests, the attacker may be able to invoke functionality they are not authorized for.
CAPEC-62: Cross Site Request Forgery
An attacker crafts malicious web links and distributes them (via web pages, email, etc.), typically in a targeted manner, hoping to induce users to click on the link and execute the malicious action against some third-party application. If successful, the action embedded in the malicious link will be processed and accepted by the targeted application with the users' privilege level. This type of attack leverages the persistence and implicit trust placed in user session cookies by many web applications today. In such an architecture, once the user authenticates to an application and a session cookie is created on the user's system, all following transactions for that session are authenticated using that cookie including potential actions initiated by an attacker and simply "riding" the existing session cookie.