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.
3442 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-X5QW-M467-VGQ3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-29 21:30 – Updated: 2026-01-29 21:30A missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in KiloView Encoder Series could allow an unauthenticated attacker to create or delete administrator accounts. This vulnerability can grant the attacker full administrative control over the product.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-1453"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-29T19:16:18Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in KiloView Encoder Series could allow an unauthenticated attacker to create or delete administrator accounts. This vulnerability can grant the attacker full administrative control over the product.",
"id": "GHSA-x5qw-m467-vgq3",
"modified": "2026-01-29T21:30:30Z",
"published": "2026-01-29T21:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-1453"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/cisagov/CSAF/blob/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2026/icsa-26-029-01.json"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-029-01"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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-X62P-FR54-QJPJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:33 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:33Visual Components (owned by KUKA) is a robotic simulator that allows simulating factories and robots in order toimprove planning and decision-making processes. Visual Components software requires a special license which can beobtained from a network license server. The network license server binds to all interfaces (0.0.0.0) and listensfor packets over UDP port 5093. No authentication/authorization is required in order to communicate with theserver. The protocol being used is a property protocol by RMS Sentinel which provides the licensing infrastructurefor the network license server. RMS Sentinel license manager service exposes UDP port 5093 which provides sensitivesystem information that could be leveraged for further exploitation without any kind of authentication. Thisinformation includes detailed hardware and OS characteristics.After a decryption process, a textual protocol is found which contains a simple header with the requested command,application-identifier, and some arguments. The protocol leaks information regarding the receiving serverinformation, license information and managing licenses, among others.Through this flaw, attackers can retreive information about a KUKA simulation system, particularly, the version ofthe licensing server, which is connected to the simulator, and which will allow them to launch local simulationswith similar characteristics, further understanding the dynamics of motion virtualization and opening doors toother attacks (see RVDP#711 and RVDP#712 for subsequent vulnerabilities that compromise integrity andavailability).Beyond compromising simulations, Visual Components provides capabilities to interface with industrial machinery.Particularly, their PLC Connectivity feature 'makes it easy' to connect simulations with control systems usingeither the industry standard OPC UA or other supported vendor specific interfaces. This fills the gap of jumpingfrom simulation to real and enables attackers to pivot from the Visual Components simulator to robots or otherIndustrial Control System (ICS) devices, such as PLCs.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-10291"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-200",
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-06T12:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Visual Components (owned by KUKA) is a robotic simulator that allows simulating factories and robots in order toimprove planning and decision-making processes. Visual Components software requires a special license which can beobtained from a network license server. The network license server binds to all interfaces (0.0.0.0) and listensfor packets over UDP port 5093. No authentication/authorization is required in order to communicate with theserver. The protocol being used is a property protocol by RMS Sentinel which provides the licensing infrastructurefor the network license server. RMS Sentinel license manager service exposes UDP port 5093 which provides sensitivesystem information that could be leveraged for further exploitation without any kind of authentication. Thisinformation includes detailed hardware and OS characteristics.After a decryption process, a textual protocol is found which contains a simple header with the requested command,application-identifier, and some arguments. The protocol leaks information regarding the receiving serverinformation, license information and managing licenses, among others.Through this flaw, attackers can retreive information about a KUKA simulation system, particularly, the version ofthe licensing server, which is connected to the simulator, and which will allow them to launch local simulationswith similar characteristics, further understanding the dynamics of motion virtualization and opening doors toother attacks (see RVDP#711 and RVDP#712 for subsequent vulnerabilities that compromise integrity andavailability).Beyond compromising simulations, Visual Components provides capabilities to interface with industrial machinery.Particularly, their PLC Connectivity feature \u0027makes it easy\u0027 to connect simulations with control systems usingeither the industry standard OPC UA or other supported vendor specific interfaces. This fills the gap of jumpingfrom simulation to real and enables attackers to pivot from the Visual Components simulator to robots or otherIndustrial Control System (ICS) devices, such as PLCs.",
"id": "GHSA-x62p-fr54-qjpj",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:33:17Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:33:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-10291"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/aliasrobotics/RVD/issues/3336"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-X63M-QFR5-QQQQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:30 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:30NETGEAR Orbi 760 SOAP API Authentication Bypass Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of NETGEAR Orbi 760 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the implementation of the SOAP API. The issue results from the lack of authentication prior to allowing access to functionality. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-20524.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-41183"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:15:27Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "NETGEAR Orbi 760 SOAP API Authentication Bypass Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to bypass authentication on affected installations of NETGEAR Orbi 760 routers. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the implementation of the SOAP API. The issue results from the lack of authentication prior to allowing access to functionality. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-20524.",
"id": "GHSA-x63m-qfr5-qqqq",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:30:59Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:30:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-41183"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.netgear.com/000065734/Security-Advisory-for-Authentication-Bypass-on-the-RBR760-PSV-2023-0052"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1283"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-X693-F8XH-9V4V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-17 18:35 – Updated: 2026-06-17 18:35Vulnerability in the WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Console). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise WebLogic Server. While the vulnerability is in WebLogic Server, attacks may significantly impact additional products (scope change). Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 10.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-35301"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-17T10:40:22Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Vulnerability in the WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Console). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.1.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise WebLogic Server. While the vulnerability is in WebLogic Server, attacks may significantly impact additional products (scope change). Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of WebLogic Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 10.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).",
"id": "GHSA-x693-f8xh-9v4v",
"modified": "2026-06-17T18:35:24Z",
"published": "2026-06-17T18:35:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35301"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cspujun2026.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-X6HQ-V32R-W2QR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-01-19 06:30 – Updated: 2024-01-19 06:30ASUS Armoury Crate has a vulnerability in arbitrary file write and allows remote attackers to access or modify arbitrary files by sending specific HTTP requests without permission.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-5716"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306",
"CWE-610"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-01-19T04:15:09Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "ASUS Armoury Crate has a vulnerability in arbitrary file write and allows remote attackers to access or modify arbitrary files by sending specific HTTP requests without permission.",
"id": "GHSA-x6hq-v32r-w2qr",
"modified": "2024-01-19T06:30:20Z",
"published": "2024-01-19T06:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5716"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-7666-fffce-1.html"
}
],
"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-X6M2-55W3-7X57
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-17 18:31 – Updated: 2025-01-17 18:31Nedap Librix Ecoreader is missing authentication for critical functions that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to potentially execute malicious code.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-12757"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-17T18:15:24Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Nedap Librix Ecoreader \n is missing authentication for critical functions that could allow an \nunauthenticated attacker to potentially execute malicious code.",
"id": "GHSA-x6m2-55w3-7x57",
"modified": "2025-01-17T18:31:15Z",
"published": "2025-01-17T18:31:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-12757"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-007-02"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:L/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-X6P6-67FX-PVG4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-04 09:30 – Updated: 2025-08-04 15:31In the Airoha Bluetooth audio SDK, there is a possible unauthorized access to the RACE protocol. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-20702"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-04T07:15:28Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In the Airoha Bluetooth audio SDK, there is a possible unauthorized access to the RACE protocol. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.",
"id": "GHSA-x6p6-67fx-pvg4",
"modified": "2025-08-04T15:31:21Z",
"published": "2025-08-04T09:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-20702"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.airoha.com/product-security-bulletin/2025"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-X6VP-5V5H-8V6Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-14 15:30 – Updated: 2025-01-14 15:30A missing authentication for critical function in Fortinet FortiPortal version 6.0.0 through 6.0.15, FortiManager version 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, 6.4.0 through 6.4.14 allows attacker to access to the configuration of the managed devices by sending specifically crafted packets
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-35277"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-14T14:15:30Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A missing authentication for critical function in Fortinet FortiPortal version 6.0.0 through 6.0.15, FortiManager version 7.4.0 through 7.4.2, 7.2.0 through 7.2.5, 7.0.0 through 7.0.12, 6.4.0 through 6.4.14 allows attacker to access to the configuration of the managed devices by sending specifically crafted packets",
"id": "GHSA-x6vp-5v5h-8v6q",
"modified": "2025-01-14T15:30:53Z",
"published": "2025-01-14T15:30:53Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-35277"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fortiguard.fortinet.com/psirt/FG-IR-24-135"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-X6XM-9HW6-Q7GC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-29 12:31 – Updated: 2026-06-03 18:33Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Menulux Information Technologies Managment Portal allows Collect Data as Provided by Users.This issue affects Managment Portal: through 21.05.2024.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-4428"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-269",
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-29T11:15:27Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in Menulux Information Technologies Managment Portal allows Collect Data as Provided by Users.This issue affects Managment Portal: through 21.05.2024.",
"id": "GHSA-x6xm-9hw6-q7gc",
"modified": "2026-06-03T18:33:05Z",
"published": "2024-08-29T12:31:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-4428"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://siberguvenlik.gov.tr/guvenlik-bildirimleri/detay/tr-24-1356"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.usom.gov.tr/bildirim/tr-24-1356"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:L/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-X737-7V9V-F6G5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-09 09:30 – Updated: 2026-02-09 09:30C&Cm@il developed by HGiga has a Missing Authentication vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to read and modify any user's mail content.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-2234"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-09T08:16:12Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "C\u0026Cm@il developed by HGiga has a Missing Authentication vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to read and modify any user\u0027s mail content.",
"id": "GHSA-x737-7v9v-f6g5",
"modified": "2026-02-09T09:30:22Z",
"published": "2026-02-09T09:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2234"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/en/cp-139-10704-d5aba-2.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-10703-3d02f-1.html"
}
],
"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:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/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"
}
]
}
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.