Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication versions before 0.10_027 for Perl is susceptible to session fixation attacks.
Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication does not automatically change the session id after authentication. An attacker that obtains a session id cookie can use this to impersonate the victim.
Weakness
Authenticating a user, or otherwise establishing a new user session, without invalidating any existing session identifier gives an attacker the opportunity to steal authenticated sessions.
Extended Description
Such a scenario is commonly observed when:
In the generic exploit of session fixation vulnerabilities, an attacker creates a new session on a web application and records the associated session identifier. The attacker then causes the victim to associate, and possibly authenticate, against the server using that session identifier, giving the attacker access to the user’s account through the active session.
Potential Mitigations
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/196.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/21.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/31.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/39.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/59.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/60.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/61.html
References
- https://github.com/perl-catalyst/Catalyst-Plugin-Authentication/commit/b1385ea87a2491b64f33169222af19982d0acce3.patch
- https://metacpan.org/pod/Catalyst::Plugin::Session#change_session_id
- https://metacpan.org/pod/Plack::Middleware::Session#change_id
- https://metacpan.org/release/ETHER/Catalyst-Plugin-Authentication-0.10_027/changes
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/06/09/10