CVE-2026-35140 in DFXAnalytics
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2026
HCL DFXAnalytics is affected by a Missing Secure Attribute in Encrypted Session (SSL) Cookie vulnerability. The application fails to set the "secure" attribute on session cookies generated during authentication, which could allow a remote attacker to intercept network traffic and capture sensitive cookies, session tokens, or credentials sent in cleartext over unencrypted channels.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2026
The HCL DFXAnalytics application exhibits a critical security flaw classified as a missing secure attribute in encrypted session cookies, representing a significant vulnerability that undermines the integrity of user authentication mechanisms. This weakness occurs when the application generates session cookies during the authentication process without properly configuring the secure flag, which is essential for protecting sensitive session data transmitted over network connections. The absence of this attribute creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can intercept and manipulate session tokens through man-in-the-middle attacks or network eavesdropping techniques.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-614, which specifically addresses the issue of sensitive cookies being transmitted without proper security measures such as the secure flag. The flaw enables attackers to capture session identifiers when users authenticate over unencrypted HTTP connections, potentially allowing them to hijack user sessions and gain unauthorized access to protected application resources. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability exists in the cookie creation process where authentication tokens are generated without implementing the secure attribute, making it possible for session data to be transmitted in cleartext over insecure channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking scenarios, as it creates multiple attack vectors for threat actors seeking to compromise user accounts and access sensitive organizational data. When users authenticate through unencrypted connections, the session tokens become vulnerable to interception through various network monitoring tools or compromised network infrastructure. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access to business-critical applications, potential data breaches, and escalation of privileges within the authenticated session context. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where users may connect through public networks or when organizations fail to enforce secure communication protocols.
From an attack perspective, this weakness aligns with several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and defense evasion domains. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking attacks, capture authentication tokens through packet sniffing tools, or exploit insecure network connections to gain persistent access to user accounts. The vulnerability also enables lateral movement within networks when compromised sessions contain elevated privileges, as attackers can use captured tokens to access additional systems or applications that trust the same authentication mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enforcing secure cookie attributes across all session management components, implementing mandatory HTTPS enforcement for all application endpoints, and configuring proper HTTP security headers to prevent credential exposure. The recommended approach involves modifying the application's session management code to ensure that all session cookies include the secure flag when transmitted over encrypted connections, while also implementing additional security measures such as SameSite attributes and HttpOnly flags to further protect against cross-site scripting attacks. Regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that all authentication mechanisms properly implement secure cookie attributes and that network traffic is consistently routed through encrypted channels.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management implementation in enterprise applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data or user credentials. Organizations must ensure their security practices align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and OWASP Top Ten guidelines, which emphasize the necessity of secure session handling and proper cookie attribute configuration. Regular application security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other application components and maintain a robust security posture against evolving threat landscapes.