Cookies are subject to man-in-the-middle attacks, particularly if you use them in non encrypted communication. CGI::Session uses cookies to keep state between the server and client. The attack isn't easy to do, so it shouldn't be a concern for a low-value target. If you have a high-value target you should be using SSL and keeping the cookie lifetimes short.

I'm actually not sure this is true. This is what I imagine could be done by an attacker that can read the wire between the server and client:

  1. Intercept and extract a cookie from a privileged session.
  2. DOS the genuine client.
  3. Spoof that client's IP and present the ill-gotten cookie to the server.
Step 1 is made harder by encrypting communication. Step 3 could be made easier through understanding of the particular application semantics.

Another possibility is rifling through the browser cache of a (for example) stolen laptop, looking for interesting cookies. Limiting the lifetime of cookies helps protect against that.

In reply to Re^3: Exec script within script or import sub...? help plz by hbo
in thread Exec script within script or import sub...? help plz by Anonymous Monk

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