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.
4625 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-G55J-C2V4-PJCG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-04 20:06 – Updated: 2026-02-06 21:43Summary
An unauthenticated local client could use the Gateway WebSocket API to write config via config.apply and set unsafe cliPath values that were later used for command discovery, enabling command injection as the gateway user.
Impact
A local process on the same machine could execute arbitrary commands as the gateway process user.
Details
config.applyaccepted raw JSON and wrote it to disk after schema validation.cliPathvalues were not constrained to safe executable names/paths.- Command discovery used a shell invocation when resolving executables.
Mitigation
Upgrade to a patched release. If projects cannot upgrade immediately, set gateway.auth and avoid custom cliPath values.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "openclaw"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "2026.1.20"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-25593"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-20",
"CWE-306",
"CWE-78"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-02-04T20:06:46Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-06T21:16:17Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "### Summary\n\nAn unauthenticated local client could use the Gateway WebSocket API to write config via `config.apply` and set unsafe `cliPath` values that were later used for command discovery, enabling command injection as the gateway user.\n\n### Impact\n\nA local process on the same machine could execute arbitrary commands as the gateway process user.\n\n### Details\n\n- `config.apply` accepted raw JSON and wrote it to disk after schema validation.\n- `cliPath` values were not constrained to safe executable names/paths.\n- Command discovery used a shell invocation when resolving executables.\n\n### Mitigation\n\nUpgrade to a patched release. If projects cannot upgrade immediately, set `gateway.auth` and avoid custom `cliPath` values.",
"id": "GHSA-g55j-c2v4-pjcg",
"modified": "2026-02-06T21:43:41Z",
"published": "2026-02-04T20:06:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-g55j-c2v4-pjcg"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25593"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
}
],
"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:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "OpenClaw vulnerable to Unauthenticated Local RCE via WebSocket config.apply"
}
GHSA-G573-J843-XR77
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-04 15:36 – Updated: 2026-09-04 15:36xiaobei through 5.5.2 fails to implement authentication or signature validation on webhook endpoints, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary messages into the agent pipeline. Attackers can publish malicious messages via the /webhook_worktool handler and exploit unvalidated media URL fetching to perform server-side request forgery against internal services.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-85667"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-04T15:17:44Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "xiaobei through 5.5.2 fails to implement authentication or signature validation on webhook endpoints, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary messages into the agent pipeline. Attackers can publish malicious messages via the /webhook_worktool handler and exploit unvalidated media URL fetching to perform server-side request forgery against internal services.",
"id": "GHSA-g573-j843-xr77",
"modified": "2026-09-04T15:36:15Z",
"published": "2026-09-04T15:36:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85667"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/TeamWiseFlow/xiaobei/issues/440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/TeamWiseFlow/xiaobei"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/TeamWiseFlow/xiaobei/blob/v5.5.2/awada/awada-server/src/routes/webhook-worktool.ts"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/xiaobei-through-5.5.2-unauthenticated-webhook-message-injection"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-G5JC-5X3G-7WMF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-01 21:31 – Updated: 2026-09-01 21:31A vulnerability in the API of HPE Networking Fabric Composer could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to obtain limited system information and to change the state of certain settings of a vulnerable system. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain insight into internal services and workflows and to make unauthorized changes that may disrupt the normal operation of the affected service.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-73706"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-01T20:17:17Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the API of HPE Networking Fabric Composer could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to obtain limited system information and to change the state of certain settings of a vulnerable system. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain insight into internal services and workflows and to make unauthorized changes that may disrupt the normal operation of the affected service.",
"id": "GHSA-g5jc-5x3g-7wmf",
"modified": "2026-09-01T21:31:48Z",
"published": "2026-09-01T21:31:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-73706"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05133en_us\u0026docLocale=en_US"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-G5VW-99JG-H3PQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-22 00:31 – Updated: 2026-07-22 00:31Vulnerability in the Oracle Coherence product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0, 14.1.2.0.0 and 15.1.1.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Coherence. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle Coherence. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-60286"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-21T22:17:31Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Vulnerability in the Oracle Coherence product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0, 14.1.2.0.0 and 15.1.1.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise Oracle Coherence. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle Coherence. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).",
"id": "GHSA-g5vw-99jg-h3pq",
"modified": "2026-07-22T00:31:31Z",
"published": "2026-07-22T00:31:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-60286"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2026.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-G5WW-FJ2F-347H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-20 12:30 – Updated: 2026-04-01 18:32Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in Saul Morales Pacheco Banner System allows Privilege Escalation.This issue affects Banner System: from n/a through 1.0.0.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-52437"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-20T12:15:19Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in Saul Morales Pacheco Banner System allows Privilege Escalation.This issue affects Banner System: from n/a through 1.0.0.",
"id": "GHSA-g5ww-fj2f-347h",
"modified": "2026-04-01T18:32:34Z",
"published": "2024-11-20T12:30:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-52437"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/banner-system/vulnerability/wordpress-banner-system-plugin-1-0-0-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/banner-system/wordpress-banner-system-plugin-1-0-0-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-G5XG-Q9X4-WRHH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-22 00:31 – Updated: 2026-07-22 00:31Vulnerability in the Service Delivery Platform product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Messaging Enabler). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.2.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3, IIOP to compromise Service Delivery Platform. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Service Delivery Platform. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-60375"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-21T22:17:40Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Vulnerability in the Service Delivery Platform product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Messaging Enabler). Supported versions that are affected are 12.2.1.4.0 and 14.1.2.0.0. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via T3, IIOP to compromise Service Delivery Platform. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Service Delivery Platform. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 9.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).",
"id": "GHSA-g5xg-q9x4-wrhh",
"modified": "2026-07-22T00:31:37Z",
"published": "2026-07-22T00:31:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-60375"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2026.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-G5XQ-FC7G-HGV3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-01 06:31 – Updated: 2026-10-05 12:31Comelit Multi-User Gateway for VIP System (model 1456B) firmware versions 2.9.1 and 2.10.0 expose a network-accessible management interface that does not require authentication. Through this interface, sensitive device configuration data - including the Remote Configuration Password - can be read in cleartext by a remote, unauthenticated attacker.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-80276"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-01T06:17:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Comelit Multi-User Gateway for VIP System (model 1456B) firmware versions 2.9.1 and 2.10.0 expose a network-accessible management interface that does not require authentication. Through this interface, sensitive device configuration data - including the Remote Configuration Password - can be read in cleartext by a remote, unauthenticated attacker.",
"id": "GHSA-g5xq-fc7g-hgv3",
"modified": "2026-10-05T12:31:21Z",
"published": "2026-10-01T06:31:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-80276"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://accesscontrol.fail/comelit-1456b"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://pro.comelitgroup.com/en-us/product/1456B"
}
],
"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-G63V-R3MF-M22G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-21 03:30 – Updated: 2026-05-21 03:30A missing authentication vulnerability exists in the Altium 365 SearchService. A legacy SOAP endpoint exposes search index operations without requiring authentication, session tokens, or any form of identity verification. An unauthenticated network attacker who can reference a target workspace's identifier can interact with that workspace's search index, crossing tenant boundaries.
Successful exploitation allows reading a workspace's indexed contents (such as component data, project and folder names, and user metadata) and injecting, modifying, or deleting search index entries. These operations affect the search index only, not the underlying vault data, but they can disclose sensitive workspace information and compromise the integrity and availability of search results. Altium 365 cloud deployments are affected; on-premise Altium Enterprise Server is not affected.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-9152"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-21T02:16:33Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A missing authentication vulnerability exists in the Altium 365 SearchService. A legacy SOAP endpoint exposes search index operations without requiring authentication, session tokens, or any form of identity verification. An unauthenticated network attacker who can reference a target workspace\u0027s identifier can interact with that workspace\u0027s search index, crossing tenant boundaries.\n\n\n\n\nSuccessful exploitation allows reading a workspace\u0027s indexed contents (such as component data, project and folder names, and user metadata) and injecting, modifying, or deleting search index entries. These operations affect the search index only, not the underlying vault data, but they can disclose sensitive workspace information and compromise the integrity and availability of search results. Altium 365 cloud deployments are affected; on-premise Altium Enterprise Server is not affected.",
"id": "GHSA-g63v-r3mf-m22g",
"modified": "2026-05-21T03:30:24Z",
"published": "2026-05-21T03:30:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-9152"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.altium.com/platform/security-compliance/security-advisories"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/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-G684-GPWP-V5MJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-23 18:30 – Updated: 2024-10-31 18:31A user with device administrative privileges can change existing SMTP server settings on the device, without having to re-enter SMTP server credentials. By redirecting send-to-email traffic to the new server, the original SMTP server credentials may potentially be exposed.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-5143"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-23T17:15:31Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A user with device administrative privileges can change existing SMTP server settings on the device, without having to re-enter SMTP server credentials. By redirecting send-to-email traffic to the new server, the original SMTP server credentials may potentially be exposed.",
"id": "GHSA-g684-gpwp-v5mj",
"modified": "2024-10-31T18:31:16Z",
"published": "2024-05-23T18:30:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-5143"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_10643804-10643841-16/HPSBPI03941"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-G69F-2FW2-VV87
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-10 18:31 – Updated: 2026-06-06 09:31Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in TUBITAK BILGEM Software Technologies Research Institute Liderahenk allows Remote Code Inclusion, Privilege Abuse, Command Injection.This issue affects Liderahenk: before v3.4.0.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-2339"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-10T18:18:48Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in TUBITAK BILGEM Software Technologies Research Institute Liderahenk allows Remote Code Inclusion, Privilege Abuse, Command Injection.This issue affects Liderahenk: before v3.4.0.",
"id": "GHSA-g69f-2fw2-vv87",
"modified": "2026-06-06T09:31:15Z",
"published": "2026-03-10T18:31:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2339"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://siberguvenlik.gov.tr/guvenlik-bildirimleri/detay/tr-26-0087"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.usom.gov.tr/bildirim/tr-26-0087"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/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.