WebSocket Authentication Scanner
Identifies WebSocket authentication and authorization flaws.
What is WebSocket Authentication?
WebSocket Authentication flaws occur when connections lack proper authentication or when authorization isn't validated for each message. Unlike HTTP where each request is independent, WebSocket maintains persistent connections, creating unique authentication challenges around session management and privilege verification.
Why is This Important?
A WebSocket connection authenticated at establishment may be used for hours. If privileges change (logout, role change) but the connection persists, unauthorized access continues. Per-message authorization may be missing entirely, allowing any connected user to access any functionality.
How It Works
1. Attack Surface Mapping
Identifies complex attack vectors including race conditions, desync points, and logic flaws in your application.
2. Advanced Exploitation
Executes sophisticated attack techniques that bypass traditional security controls and detection mechanisms.
3. Impact Assessment
Demonstrates real-world impact with detailed exploitation chains and business risk analysis.
Key Capabilities
Expert-level security testing for sophisticated vulnerabilities that evade traditional scanning tools.
- Race condition and timing attack detection
- Request smuggling and desync analysis
- Business logic flaw identification
- Chained exploit development
- Protocol-level vulnerability testing
Frequently Asked Questions
What authentication issues affect WebSocket?
Common issues: no authentication required to connect, only checking auth on upgrade request (not per-message), session tokens that never expire, no logout mechanism (connections persist after logout), missing authorization for specific message types, and privilege escalation through message manipulation.
How should WebSocket authentication work?
Best practices: authenticate during WebSocket upgrade (validate token/cookie), re-validate session periodically, check authorization for each message/action, handle logout by closing WebSocket connection, implement session timeout, and use separate tokens for WebSocket vs HTTP.
Why is per-message authorization important?
A connected WebSocket can send any message format. Without per-message authz, a regular user might send admin-only messages and have them processed. The connection context doesn't limit which operations are attempted; each must be individually authorized.
How do I test WebSocket authentication?
Testing: try connecting without authentication, replay upgrade requests without valid tokens, send messages after logout, attempt privileged actions with regular user connections, test with expired/invalid tokens, and verify sessions can't be hijacked by stealing connection info.
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