Authentication token theft via Host-derived cookie domains
Published Apr 14, 2026 · Updated Apr 14, 2026
Host header injection in Serendipity before 2.6.0 allows remote attackers to steal authentication tokens through poisoned cookie domains. serendipity_setCookie() passes the unvalidated HTTP Host header to setcookie() as the domain for session and auto-login cookies. Exploitation requires control of the Host header while a user logs in, exposing that user's tokens and enabling account takeover at the user's privilege level.
Summary
What happened
Host header injection in Serendipity before 2.6.0 allows remote attackers to steal authentication tokens through poisoned cookie domains. serendipity_setCookie() passes the unvalidated HTTP Host header to setcookie() as the domain for session and auto-login cookies. Exploitation requires control of the Host header while a user logs in, exposing that user's tokens and enabling account takeover at the user's privilege level.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-39963
- Published
- Apr 14, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 14, 2026
- Vendor
- Serendipity Team
- Product
- Serendipity
- Classifications
- CWE-565, T1539
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 14, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 2.6.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Poisoned Host login request proof of conceptproof of concept · unverified
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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