Testing for Session Management Schema
OWASP Web Security Testing Guide 4.2 > 6. Session Management Testing > 6.1. Testing for Session Management Schema
| ID | Link to Hackinglife | Link to OWASP | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | WSTG-SESS-01 | Testing for Session Management Schema | - Gather session tokens, for the same user and for different users where possible. - Analyze and ensure that enough randomness exists to stop session forging attacks. - Modify cookies that are not signed and contain information that can be manipulated. |
Session management in web applications refers to the process of securely handling and maintaining user sessions. A session is a period of interaction between a user and a web application, typically beginning when a user logs in and ending when they log out or their session expires due to inactivity. During a session, the application needs to recognize and track the user, store their data, and manage their access to different parts of the application.
Components
- Session Identifier: A unique token (often a session ID) is assigned to each user's session. This token is used to associate subsequent requests from the user with their session data.
- Session Data: Information related to the user's session, such as authentication status, user preferences, and temporary data, is stored on the server.
- Session Cookies: Session cookies are small pieces of data stored on the user's browser that contain the session ID. They are used to maintain state between the client and server.
What is session used for
- User Authentication: Session management is critical for user authentication. After a user logs in, the session management system keeps track of their authenticated state, allowing them to access protected resources without repeatedly entering credentials.
- User State: Web applications often need to maintain state information about a user's activities. For example, in an e-commerce site, the session management system keeps track of the items in a user's shopping cart.
- Security: If proper session management is not implemented correctly, it can lead to vulnerabilities such as session fixation, session hijacking, and unauthorized access.
Session Management Testing
Some typical vulnerabilities related to session management are:
- Session Fixation Testing: Test for session fixation vulnerabilities by attempting to set a known session ID (controlled by the tester) and then login with another account. Verify if the application accepts the predefined session ID and allows the attacker access to the target account.
- Session Hijacking Testing: Test for session hijacking vulnerabilities by trying to capture and reuse another user's session ID. Tools like Wireshark or Burp Suite can help intercept and analyze network traffic for session data.
- Session ID Brute-Force: Attempt to brute force session IDs to assess their complexity and the application's resistance to such attacks.