By RecOsint | Dec 6, 2025
MFA is Not Enough. If a hacker steals your Session Token (via Malware or XSS), they don't need your Password or OTP. They simply "Pass-the-Cookie" into their browser and become YOU. How do we stop this? By making the token useless even if stolen.
The first line of defense is in the code. Developers must set cookie flags: – HttpOnly: Prevents JavaScript (XSS) from reading the cookie. If a hacker runs a malicious script, the cookie remains invisible. – Secure: Forces the cookie to only travel over encrypted HTTPS connections.
A session token should not last forever. – Absolute Timeout: Force a re-login every 4-8 hours, no matter what. – Idle Timeout: Log the user out after 15 minutes of inactivity. – Result: If a hacker steals a token, they have a tiny window before it expires.
Never let a user keep the same ID card for too long. – The Tactic: Regenerate the Session ID every time the user performs a sensitive action (like changing a password) or periodically every 15 minutes. – Effect: The stolen token becomes "Stale" (invalid) quickly, locking the hacker out while the real user stays in.
Tie the session to the user's environment. If a user logs in from New York (Windows 11), and suddenly the same session request comes from Russia (Linux): – Action: Kill the session immediately. – Logic: A session token should not be able to "Teleport."
Google and Microsoft are working on a new standard called DBSC. – Tech: It binds the session to the crypto-keys inside your device's TPM chip. – Impact: Even if malware steals the cookie file, it cannot be used on any other computer. This will end session theft permanently.
You cannot rely on just one method. – Checklist: Set HttpOnly. Shorten Timeouts. Rotate Tokens. Bind to IP/User-Agent.