CVE-2025-60794 identifies a security vulnerability in the couch-auth authentication library version 0.21.2. The issue arises because session tokens and passwords are stored in JavaScript objects within the source file src/user.ts (lines 700-707) and are not explicitly cleared from memory after use. This results in sensitive authentication data persisting in application memory longer than necessary. Attackers with the ability to perform memory dumps, attach debugging tools, or otherwise access process memory can extract these tokens and passwords. Such exposure can facilitate session hijacking, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users without needing to compromise credentials through other means. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require some level of access to the system memory, which could be achieved through local access or exploitation of other vulnerabilities enabling memory inspection. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits are known. The vulnerability highlights a common security oversight in JavaScript-based authentication implementations where sensitive data is not securely erased from memory, increasing the attack surface for credential theft.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and credentials. If exploited, attackers could gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems, leading to data breaches, unauthorized transactions, or lateral movement within networks. Organizations relying on couch-auth 0.21.2 for authentication in web applications or APIs are particularly vulnerable. The persistence of session tokens and passwords in memory increases the risk from insider threats, compromised developer machines, or attackers exploiting other vulnerabilities to gain memory access. This can undermine trust in authentication mechanisms and lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to potential exposure of personal data. The impact is heightened in sectors with critical infrastructure or sensitive data, such as finance, healthcare, and government services prevalent in Europe.

Immediate mitigation involves restricting access to systems running vulnerable versions of couch-auth to trusted personnel only and monitoring for suspicious memory access activities. Organizations should implement strict memory management practices, such as overwriting sensitive variables after use, even if the library does not do so by default. Employing runtime protections like process memory encryption or sandboxing can reduce exposure. Developers should upgrade to a patched version of couch-auth once available or consider alternative authentication libraries with secure memory handling. Additionally, applying defense-in-depth controls such as multi-factor authentication, session timeouts, and anomaly detection can limit the impact of stolen session tokens. Regular security audits and memory forensics can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, educating developers on secure coding practices related to sensitive data handling in memory is essential to prevent recurrence.