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.
3570 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-H7QF-VXQV-G8R9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-01-13 06:30 – Updated: 2024-01-19 18:30An unauthenticated log file read in the component log-smblog-save of QStar Archive Solutions RELEASE_3-0 Build 7 Patch 0 allows attackers to disclose the SMB Log contents via executing a crafted command.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-51062"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-01-13T04:15:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An unauthenticated log file read in the component log-smblog-save of QStar Archive Solutions RELEASE_3-0 Build 7 Patch 0 allows attackers to disclose the SMB Log contents via executing a crafted command.",
"id": "GHSA-h7qf-vxqv-g8r9",
"modified": "2024-01-19T18:30:23Z",
"published": "2024-01-13T06:30:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51062"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Oracle-Security/CVEs/blob/main/QStar%20Archive%20Solutions/CVE-2023-51062.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-H7W3-V34V-748V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-09 18:31 – Updated: 2026-06-09 18:31Protection mechanism failure in Windows BitLocker allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature with a physical attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-50507"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-09T17:17:49Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Protection mechanism failure in Windows BitLocker allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature with a physical attack.",
"id": "GHSA-h7w3-v34v-748v",
"modified": "2026-06-09T18:31:01Z",
"published": "2026-06-09T18:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-50507"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50507"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-H82M-PVF6-9GJR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-12 15:32 – Updated: 2025-02-12 15:32A CWE-306 "Missing Authentication for Critical Function" in maxprofile/menu/routes.lua in Q-Free MaxTime less than or equal to version 2.11.0 allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to edit user permissions via crafted HTTP requests.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-26347"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-12T14:15:34Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A CWE-306 \"Missing Authentication for Critical Function\" in maxprofile/menu/routes.lua in Q-Free MaxTime less than or equal to version 2.11.0 allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to edit user permissions via crafted HTTP requests.",
"id": "GHSA-h82m-pvf6-9gjr",
"modified": "2025-02-12T15:32:00Z",
"published": "2025-02-12T15:32:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-26347"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.nozominetworks.com/labs/vulnerability-advisories-cve-2025-26347"
}
],
"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-H842-F758-5XGC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-20 15:30 – Updated: 2025-07-20 15:30A vulnerability was found in harry0703 MoneyPrinterTurbo up to 1.2.6 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function verify_token of the file app/controllers/base.py of the component API Endpoint. The manipulation leads to missing authentication. The attack may be launched remotely.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-7897"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287",
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-20T15:15:25Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in harry0703 MoneyPrinterTurbo up to 1.2.6 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function verify_token of the file app/controllers/base.py of the component API Endpoint. The manipulation leads to missing authentication. The attack may be launched remotely.",
"id": "GHSA-h842-f758-5xgc",
"modified": "2025-07-20T15:30:28Z",
"published": "2025-07-20T15:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-7897"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.317012"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.317012"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.609040"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/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-H86G-GVX6-H94G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-29 21:30 – Updated: 2025-10-09 21:31Vasion Print (formerly PrinterLogic) Virtual Appliance Host prior to version 25.1.102 and Application prior to version 25.1.1413 (VA/SaaS deployments) contain a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. The /var/www/app/console_release/lexmark/update.php script is reachable from the internet without any authentication. The PHP script builds URLs from user‑controlled values and then invokes either 'curl_exec()orfile_get_contents()` without proper validation. Because the endpoint is unauthenticated, any remote attacker can supply a hostname and cause the server to issue requests to internal resources. This enables internal network reconnaissance, potential pivoting, or data exfiltration. This vulnerability has been confirmed to be remediated, but it is unclear as to when the patch was introduced.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-34228"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306",
"CWE-918"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-09-29T21:15:36Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Vasion Print (formerly PrinterLogic) Virtual Appliance Host prior to version 25.1.102\u00a0and Application prior to version 25.1.1413\u00a0(VA/SaaS deployments) contain a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. The `/var/www/app/console_release/lexmark/update.php` script is reachable from the internet without any authentication. The PHP script builds URLs from user\u2011controlled values and then invokes either \u0027curl_exec()` or `file_get_contents()` without proper validation.\u00a0Because the endpoint is unauthenticated, any remote attacker can supply a hostname and cause the server to issue requests to internal resources. This enables internal network reconnaissance, potential pivoting, or data exfiltration. This vulnerability has been confirmed to be remediated, but it is unclear as to when the patch was introduced.",
"id": "GHSA-h86g-gvx6-h94g",
"modified": "2025-10-09T21:31:10Z",
"published": "2025-09-29T21:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-34228"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://help.printerlogic.com/saas/Print/Security/Security-Bulletins.htm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://help.printerlogic.com/va/Print/Security/Security-Bulletins.htm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://pierrekim.github.io/blog/2025-04-08-vasion-printerlogic-83-vulnerabilities.html#va-ssrf-04"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/vasion-print-printerlogic-ssrf-via-lexmark-update-php-script"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"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-H87J-F78F-M3FM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-10-25 18:32 – Updated: 2024-09-25 12:30Missing authentication in the SetDB method in IDAttend’s IDWeb application 3.1.052 and earlier allows denial of service or theft of database login credentials.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-26573"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287",
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-10-25T18:17:25Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Missing authentication in the SetDB method in IDAttend\u2019s IDWeb application 3.1.052 and earlier allows denial of service or theft of database login credentials. ",
"id": "GHSA-h87j-f78f-m3fm",
"modified": "2024-09-25T12:30:39Z",
"published": "2023-10-25T18:32:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-26573"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.themissinglink.com.au/security-advisories/cve-2023-26573"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-H88F-R7CW-8FV3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:14 – Updated: 2024-09-11 19:50The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3. This allowed unauthenticated users to hit that endpoint to add/modify Airflow variables used in DAGs, potentially resulting in a denial of service, information disclosure or remote code execution. This issue affects Apache Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "apache-airflow"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.0.0"
},
{
"fixed": "2.1.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-38540"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-06-21T20:11:22Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2021-09-09T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow \u003e=2.0.0, \u003c2.1.3. This allowed unauthenticated users to hit that endpoint to add/modify Airflow variables used in DAGs, potentially resulting in a denial of service, information disclosure or remote code execution. This issue affects Apache Airflow \u003e=2.0.0, \u003c2.1.3.",
"id": "GHSA-h88f-r7cw-8fv3",
"modified": "2024-09-11T19:50:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:14:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38540"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/airflow/commit/bcec1df703cd4a01520a90c3f801cca6f97d9bfd"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h88f-r7cw-8fv3"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/airflow"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/apache-airflow/PYSEC-2021-326.yaml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rac2ed9118f64733e47b4f1e82ddc8c8020774698f13328ca742b03a2@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb34c3dd1a815456355217eef34060789f771b6f77c3a3dec77de2064%40%3Cusers.airflow.apache.org%3E"
}
],
"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",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Missing Authentication for Critical Function in Apache Airflow"
}
GHSA-H8CP-697H-8C8P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-03 17:00 – Updated: 2025-12-03 17:00Summary
A security fix is now available for Step CA that resolves a vulnerability affecting deployments configured with ACME and/or SCEP provisioners.
All operators running these provisioners should upgrade to the latest release (v0.29.0) immediately.
The issue was discovered and disclosed by a research team during a security review. There is no evidence of active exploitation.
To limit exploitation risk during a coordinated disclosure window, we are withholding detailed technical information for now. A full write-up will be published in several weeks.
Embargo List
If your organization runs Step CA in production and would like advance, embargoed notification of future security updates, visit https://u.step.sm/disclosure to request inclusion on our embargo list.
Acknowledgements
This issue was identified and reported by Stephen Kubik of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG)
Stay safe, and thank you for helping us keep the ecosystem secure.
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 0.28.4"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/smallstep/certificates"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.29.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-44005"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-12-03T17:00:03Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "## Summary\n\nA security fix is now available for Step CA that resolves a vulnerability affecting deployments configured with ACME and/or SCEP provisioners.\nAll operators running these provisioners should upgrade to the latest release (`v0.29.0`) immediately.\n\nThe issue was discovered and disclosed by a research team during a security review. There is no evidence of active exploitation.\n\nTo limit exploitation risk during a coordinated disclosure window, we are withholding detailed technical information for now. A full write-up will be published in several weeks.\n\n---\n\n## Embargo List\n\nIf your organization runs Step CA in production and would like advance, embargoed notification of future security updates, visit https://u.step.sm/disclosure to request inclusion on our embargo list.\n\n---\n\n## Acknowledgements\n\nThis issue was identified and reported by Stephen Kubik of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG)\n\n---\n\nStay safe, and thank you for helping us keep the ecosystem secure.",
"id": "GHSA-h8cp-697h-8c8p",
"modified": "2025-12-03T17:00:03Z",
"published": "2025-12-03T17:00:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/smallstep/certificates/security/advisories/GHSA-h8cp-697h-8c8p"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/smallstep/certificates/commit/1011f5f5408b470a636f583bf74c0d7bbaf75d72"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/smallstep/certificates"
}
],
"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:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Step CA Has Authorization Bypass in ACME and SCEP Provisioners"
}
GHSA-H99J-QMGW-6GGG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-31 12:30 – Updated: 2025-01-06 18:31In WhatsUp Gold versions released before 2024.0.2, an unauthenticated attacker can configure LDAP settings.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-12106"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-31T11:15:06Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "In WhatsUp Gold versions released before 2024.0.2, an unauthenticated attacker can configure\u00a0LDAP settings.",
"id": "GHSA-h99j-qmgw-6ggg",
"modified": "2025-01-06T18:31:02Z",
"published": "2024-12-31T12:30:44Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-12106"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.progress.com/network-monitoring"
}
],
"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:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-H9CV-6MCV-FFR4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-19 15:31 – Updated: 2024-07-19 15:31Insufficient authentication in user account management in Yugabyte Platform allows local network attackers with a compromised user session to change critical security information without re-authentication. An attacker with user session and access to application can modify settings such as password and email without being prompted for the current password, enabling account takeover.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-6895"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-306"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-07-19T15:15:10Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Insufficient authentication in user account management in Yugabyte Platform allows local network attackers with a compromised user session to change critical security information without re-authentication. An attacker with user session and access to application can modify settings such as password and email without being prompted for the current password, enabling account takeover.",
"id": "GHSA-h9cv-6mcv-ffr4",
"modified": "2024-07-19T15:31:47Z",
"published": "2024-07-19T15:31:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-6895"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/yugabyte/yugabyte-db/commit/9687371d8777f876285b737a9d01995bc46bafa5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:P/VC:H/VI:L/VA:L/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"
}
]
}
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.