Session hijacking allows attackers to take over authenticated user sessions, bypassing login authentication entirely.
What is Session Hijacking?
Session hijacking exploits valid web sessions to gain unauthorized access by stealing or predicting session tokens.
Hijacking Techniques
- Session Sniffing - Capturing session tokens from unencrypted traffic.
- XSS Token Theft - Using XSS to steal cookies via JavaScript.
- Session Fixation - Forcing a known session ID onto victims.
Security Measures
- Secure Cookies - Use HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite attributes.
- Session Regeneration - Generate new session IDs after authentication.
Conclusion
Session hijacking poses a serious threat to web application security. By implementing secure cookie settings, session regeneration, and IP-based validation, you can significantly reduce the risk of session theft.