CVE-2026-0696 identifies a security weakness in ConnectWise PSA, a widely used professional services automation platform, where session cookies are not set with the HttpOnly attribute in versions prior to 2026.1. The HttpOnly flag is a critical security control that prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookie data, thereby protecting session tokens from theft via cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Without this flag, if an attacker manages to inject malicious JavaScript into a user's browser context—through phishing, XSS vulnerabilities, or malicious third-party content—they can read session cookies and potentially hijack user sessions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1004, which concerns sensitive cookies missing the HttpOnly attribute. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, as session tokens could be exposed, but integrity and availability are not directly affected. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the risk remains significant for environments where attackers can lure users into executing malicious scripts. ConnectWise PSA is commonly used by IT service providers and managed service providers (MSPs), making this vulnerability relevant to organizations relying on these services for IT operations and customer management.

For European organizations, the exposure of session cookies without the HttpOnly flag can lead to session hijacking, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive business information, client data, and internal management tools. This can result in data breaches, loss of customer trust, and compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. MSPs and IT service providers using ConnectWise PSA are particularly at risk, as compromise of their management platform could cascade to multiple client environments. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective attack vectors. Additionally, organizations with less mature web security practices or lacking robust XSS protections are more vulnerable. The impact is heightened in sectors with critical IT service dependencies, such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions across Europe.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade ConnectWise PSA to version 2026.1 or later, where the HttpOnly flag is properly set on session cookies. Until patching is possible, organizations should implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to reduce the risk of XSS attacks that could exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should focus on identifying and remediating XSS vulnerabilities in web applications integrated with ConnectWise PSA. Additionally, user awareness training to recognize phishing attempts can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block malicious scripts can provide an additional layer of defense. Monitoring for unusual session activity and implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) can help mitigate the impact of compromised sessions. Finally, reviewing and minimizing the scope of cookies and their attributes (e.g., Secure flag, SameSite attribute) can further harden session security.