CVE-2021-40642Network attack vector

Session token disclosure via insecure cookie flag

Published Jun 29, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Insecure cookie handling in Textpattern CMS 4.8.7 and earlier allows attackers to read login tokens when users follow HTTP links. The set_cookie function in textpattern/lib/txplib_misc.php hard-codes the Secure attribute to false for the txp_login session cookie, even for HTTPS sessions. Exploitation requires user interaction and observation of resulting cleartext HTTP traffic, exposing the authenticated session without reported integrity or availability effects.

CVSS severity4.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Insecure cookie handling in Textpattern CMS 4.8.7 and earlier allows attackers to read login tokens when users follow HTTP links. The set_cookie function in textpattern/lib/txplib_misc.php hard-codes the Secure attribute to false for the txp_login session cookie, even for HTTPS sessions. Exploitation requires user interaction and observation of resulting cleartext HTTP traffic, exposing the authenticated session without reported integrity or availability effects.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-40642
Published
Jun 29, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-311, T1040
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 29, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

4.3NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
4.3NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-311Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
T1040Network Sniffing

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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