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Failure to use secure cookies

ID: java/insecure-cookie
Kind: problem
Security severity: 5.0
Severity: error
Precision: high
Tags:
   - security
   - external/cwe/cwe-614
Query suites:
   - java-code-scanning.qls
   - java-security-extended.qls
   - java-security-and-quality.qls

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Failing to set the ‘secure’ flag on a cookie can cause it to be sent in cleartext. This makes it easier for an attacker to intercept.

Recommendation

Always use setSecure to set the ‘secure’ flag on a cookie before adding it to an HttpServletResponse.

Example

This example shows two ways of adding a cookie to an HttpServletResponse. The first way leaves out the setting of the ‘secure’ flag; the second way includes the setting of the flag.

public static void test(HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response) {
	{
		Cookie cookie = new Cookie("secret", "fakesecret");
		
		// BAD: 'secure' flag not set
		response.addCookie(cookie);
	}

	{
		Cookie cookie = new Cookie("secret", "fakesecret");
		
		// GOOD: set 'secure' flag
		cookie.setSecure(true);
		response.addCookie(cookie);
	}
}

References

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