What is a session-refresh event?¶

A session-refresh event records the extension or renewal of access for an existing authenticated session.

It usually allows an application to continue operating without requiring the user to sign in again.

Avoid this assumption: That a session-refresh event proves the user was actively present and re-entered their credentials. It usually proves neither.

Applications often use refresh tokens or similar mechanisms to obtain new access tokens automatically. A phone, browser or desktop application may refresh a session in the background while idle.

The event may include the account, application, device, source address, token or session identifier, result and timestamp. It can help show that an existing session remained active and continued to receive authorised access.

But the refresh may have been generated by software rather than direct interaction. A compromised device or stolen refresh token may also continue producing apparently normal events.

Investigators should identify whether the refresh required user interaction, multi-factor authentication or only presentation of an existing token. Ask how long refresh tokens remain valid and what events revoke them.

Preserve the original session creation event, subsequent refreshes, device details, source addresses and revocation records. Changes in location, device or application may be relevant, but they must be interpreted alongside network routing and provider behaviour.

Do not treat a refresh timestamp as the moment the user began a new session. The session may have started much earlier.

Operational takeaway¶

A session-refresh event shows that an existing session or token was renewed, but it does not automatically prove fresh authentication, active user presence or legitimate control of the session.