Title

Cookies exchanged between the web server and the client, such as session cookies, must have cookie properties set to prohibit client-side scripts from reading the cookie data. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

A cookie can be read by client-side scripts easily if cookie properties are not set properly. By allowing cookies to be read by the client-side scripts, information such as session identifiers could be compromised and used by an attacker who intercepts the cookie. Setting cookie properties (i.e. HttpOnly property) to disallow client-side scripts from reading cookies better protects the information inside the cookie.

Check Content

Review the web server documentation and deployed configuration to determine how to disable client-side scripts from reading cookies. If the web server is not configured to disallow client-side scripts from reading cookies, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the web server to disallow client-side scripts the capability of reading cookie information.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-206437r961632_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-206437

Group Title: SRG-APP-000439

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.