diff --git a/.github/workflows/codeql.yml b/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
index 2f36963f..c61672bf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@8e8c483db84b4bee98b60c0593521ed34d9990e8 # v6
 
       - name: Initialize CodeQL
-        uses: github/codeql-action/init@1b168cd39490f61582a9beae412bb7057a6b2c4e # v4
+        uses: github/codeql-action/init@5d4e8d1aca955e8d8589aabd499c5cae939e33c7 # v4
         with:
           languages: ${{ matrix.language }}
 
@@ -45,9 +45,9 @@ jobs:
           go-version: '1.25.5'
 
       - name: Autobuild
-        uses: github/codeql-action/autobuild@1b168cd39490f61582a9beae412bb7057a6b2c4e # v4
+        uses: github/codeql-action/autobuild@5d4e8d1aca955e8d8589aabd499c5cae939e33c7 # v4
 
       - name: Perform CodeQL Analysis
-        uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@1b168cd39490f61582a9beae412bb7057a6b2c4e # v4
+        uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@5d4e8d1aca955e8d8589aabd499c5cae939e33c7 # v4
         with:
           category: "/language:${{ matrix.language }}"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
index 645e02b1..089c55ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload Trivy results
         if: github.event_name != 'pull_request' && steps.skip.outputs.skip_build != 'true' && steps.trivy-check.outputs.exists == 'true'
-        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@1b168cd39490f61582a9beae412bb7057a6b2c4e # v4.31.8
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@5d4e8d1aca955e8d8589aabd499c5cae939e33c7 # v4.31.9
         with:
           sarif_file: 'trivy-results.sarif'
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
index 50bd4bab..8cedc971 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Upload Trivy results
         if: github.event_name != 'pull_request' && steps.skip.outputs.skip_build != 'true' && steps.trivy-check.outputs.exists == 'true'
-        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@1b168cd39490f61582a9beae412bb7057a6b2c4e # v4.31.8
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@5d4e8d1aca955e8d8589aabd499c5cae939e33c7 # v4.31.9
         with:
           sarif_file: 'trivy-results.sarif'
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/security-weekly-rebuild.yml b/.github/workflows/security-weekly-rebuild.yml
index 2ee60a3b..b3fd6421 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/security-weekly-rebuild.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/security-weekly-rebuild.yml
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ jobs:
           severity: 'CRITICAL,HIGH,MEDIUM'
 
       - name: Upload Trivy results to GitHub Security
-        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@1b168cd39490f61582a9beae412bb7057a6b2c4e # v4.31.8
+        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@5d4e8d1aca955e8d8589aabd499c5cae939e33c7 # v4.31.9
         with:
           sarif_file: 'trivy-weekly-results.sarif'
 
diff --git a/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth.go b/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth.go
index 8e874df5..5270620e 100644
--- a/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth.go
+++ b/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth.go
@@ -13,14 +13,17 @@ func AuthMiddleware(authService *services.AuthService) gin.HandlerFunc {
 		authHeader := c.GetHeader("Authorization")
 
 		if authHeader == "" {
-			// Try cookie first for browser flows
+			// Try cookie first for browser flows (including WebSocket upgrades)
 			if cookie, err := c.Cookie("auth_token"); err == nil && cookie != "" {
 				authHeader = "Bearer " + cookie
 			}
 		}
 
+		// DEPRECATED: Query parameter authentication for WebSocket connections
+		// This fallback exists only for backward compatibility and will be removed in a future version.
+		// Query parameters are logged in access logs and should not be used for sensitive data.
+		// Use HttpOnly cookies instead, which are automatically sent by browsers and not logged.
 		if authHeader == "" {
-			// Try query param (token passthrough)
 			if token := c.Query("token"); token != "" {
 				authHeader = "Bearer " + token
 			}
diff --git a/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth_test.go b/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth_test.go
index f9724973..e46ea3e3 100644
--- a/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth_test.go
+++ b/backend/internal/api/middleware/auth_test.go
@@ -184,3 +184,62 @@ func TestRequireRole_MissingRoleInContext(t *testing.T) {
 
 	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusUnauthorized, w.Code)
 }
+
+func TestAuthMiddleware_QueryParamFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	authService := setupAuthService(t)
+	user, err := authService.Register("test@example.com", "password", "Test User")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	token, err := authService.GenerateToken(user)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	gin.SetMode(gin.TestMode)
+	r := gin.New()
+	r.Use(AuthMiddleware(authService))
+	r.GET("/test", func(c *gin.Context) {
+		userID, _ := c.Get("userID")
+		assert.Equal(t, user.ID, userID)
+		c.Status(http.StatusOK)
+	})
+
+	// Test that query param auth still works (deprecated fallback)
+	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "/test?token="+token, http.NoBody)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, w.Code)
+}
+
+func TestAuthMiddleware_PrefersCookieOverQueryParam(t *testing.T) {
+	authService := setupAuthService(t)
+	
+	// Create two different users
+	cookieUser, err := authService.Register("cookie@example.com", "password", "Cookie User")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	cookieToken, err := authService.GenerateToken(cookieUser)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	
+	queryUser, err := authService.Register("query@example.com", "password", "Query User")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	queryToken, err := authService.GenerateToken(queryUser)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	gin.SetMode(gin.TestMode)
+	r := gin.New()
+	r.Use(AuthMiddleware(authService))
+	r.GET("/test", func(c *gin.Context) {
+		userID, _ := c.Get("userID")
+		// Should use the cookie user, not the query param user
+		assert.Equal(t, cookieUser.ID, userID)
+		c.Status(http.StatusOK)
+	})
+
+	// Both cookie and query param provided - cookie should win
+	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "/test?token="+queryToken, http.NoBody)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	req.AddCookie(&http.Cookie{Name: "auth_token", Value: cookieToken})
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusOK, w.Code)
+}
diff --git a/docs/plans/prev_spec_websocket_fix_dec16.md b/docs/plans/prev_spec_websocket_fix_dec16.md
index f175d969..dc4d90cc 100644
--- a/docs/plans/prev_spec_websocket_fix_dec16.md
+++ b/docs/plans/prev_spec_websocket_fix_dec16.md
@@ -25,42 +25,50 @@
 ```text
 Frontend                              Backend
 ────────                              ───────
-localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token')
-        │
-        ▼
-Query param: ?token=<jwt>  ────────►  AuthMiddleware:
-                                      1. Check Authorization header
-                                      2. Check auth_token cookie
-                                      3. Check token query param ◄── MATCHES
-                                              │
-                                              ▼
-                                      ValidateToken(jwt) → OK
-                                              │
-                                              ▼
-                                      Upgrade to WebSocket
+User logs in
+     │
+     ▼
+Backend sets HttpOnly auth_token cookie ──►  AuthMiddleware:
+     │                                       1. Check Authorization header
+     │                                       2. Check auth_token cookie ◄── SECURE METHOD
+     │                                       3. (Deprecated) Check token query param
+     ▼                                              │
+WebSocket connection initiated                     ▼
+(Cookie sent automatically by browser)     ValidateToken(jwt) → OK
+     │                                              │
+     │                                              ▼
+     └──────────────────────────────────►  Upgrade to WebSocket
 ```
 
+**Security Note:** Authentication now uses HttpOnly cookies instead of query parameters.
+This prevents JWT tokens from being logged in access logs, proxies, and other telemetry.
+The browser automatically sends the cookie with WebSocket upgrade requests.
+
 ### Logic Gap Analysis
 
 **ANSWER: NO - There is NO logic gap between Frontend and Backend.**
 
 | Question | Answer |
 |----------|--------|
-| Frontend auth method | Query param `?token=<jwt>` from `localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token')` |
-| Backend auth method | Accepts: Header → Cookie → Query param `token` ✅ |
+| Frontend auth method | HttpOnly cookie (`auth_token`) sent automatically by browser ✅ SECURE |
+| Backend auth method | Accepts: Header → Cookie (preferred) → Query param (deprecated) ✅ |
 | Filter params | Both use `source`, `level`, `ip`, `host`, `blocked_only` ✅ |
 | Data format | `SecurityLogEntry` struct matches frontend TypeScript type ✅ |
+| Security | Tokens no longer logged in access logs or exposed to XSS ✅ |
 
 ---
 
 ## 1. VERIFICATION STATUS
 
-### ✅ localStorage Key IS Correct
+### ✅ Authentication Method Updated for Security
 
-Both WebSocket functions in `frontend/src/api/logs.ts` correctly use `charon_auth_token`:
+WebSocket authentication now uses HttpOnly cookies instead of query parameters:
 
-- **Line 119-122** (`connectLiveLogs`): `localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token')`
-- **Line 178-181** (`connectSecurityLogs`): `localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token')`
+- **`connectLiveLogs`** (frontend/src/api/logs.ts): Uses browser's automatic cookie transmission
+- **`connectSecurityLogs`** (frontend/src/api/logs.ts): Uses browser's automatic cookie transmission
+- **Backend middleware**: Prioritizes cookie-based auth, query param is deprecated
+
+This change prevents JWT tokens from appearing in access logs, proxy logs, and other telemetry.
 
 ---
 
@@ -186,12 +194,13 @@ The `showBlockedOnly` state in useEffect dependencies causes reconnection when t
 
 | Component | Status | Notes |
 |-----------|--------|-------|
-| localStorage key | ✅ Fixed | Now uses `charon_auth_token` |
-| Auth middleware | ✅ Working | Accepts query param `token` |
+| WebSocket authentication | ✅ Secured | Now uses HttpOnly cookies instead of query parameters |
+| Auth middleware | ✅ Updated | Cookie-based auth prioritized, query param deprecated |
 | WebSocket endpoint | ✅ Working | Protected route, upgrades correctly |
 | LogWatcher service | ✅ Working | Tails access.log successfully |
 | **Frontend memoization** | ✅ Fixed | `useMemo` in Security.tsx |
 | **Stable default props** | ✅ Fixed | Constants in LiveLogViewer.tsx |
+| **Security improvement** | ✅ Complete | Tokens no longer exposed in logs |
 
 ---
 
@@ -221,7 +230,9 @@ docker logs charon 2>&1 | grep -i "cerberus.*websocket" | tail -10
 
 **Logic Gap Between Frontend/Backend:** **NO** - Both are correctly aligned
 
-**Current Status:** ✅ All fixes applied and working
+**Security Enhancement:** WebSocket authentication now uses HttpOnly cookies instead of query parameters, preventing token leakage in logs
+
+**Current Status:** ✅ All fixes applied and working securely
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/docs/security/websocket-auth-security.md b/docs/security/websocket-auth-security.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d150626c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/security/websocket-auth-security.md
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+# WebSocket Authentication Security
+
+## Overview
+
+This document explains the security improvements made to WebSocket authentication in Charon to prevent JWT tokens from being exposed in access logs.
+
+## Security Issue
+
+### Before (Insecure)
+
+Previously, WebSocket connections authenticated by passing the JWT token as a query parameter:
+
+```
+wss://example.com/api/v1/logs/live?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...
+```
+
+**Security Risk:**
+- Query parameters are logged in web server access logs (Caddy, nginx, Apache, etc.)
+- Tokens appear in proxy logs
+- Tokens may be stored in browser history
+- Tokens can be captured in monitoring and telemetry systems
+- An attacker with access to these logs can replay the token to impersonate a user
+
+### After (Secure)
+
+WebSocket connections now authenticate using HttpOnly cookies:
+
+```
+wss://example.com/api/v1/logs/live?source=waf&level=error
+```
+
+The browser automatically sends the `auth_token` cookie with the WebSocket upgrade request.
+
+**Security Benefits:**
+- ✅ HttpOnly cookies are **not logged** by web servers
+- ✅ HttpOnly cookies **cannot be accessed** by JavaScript (XSS protection)
+- ✅ Cookies are **not visible** in browser history
+- ✅ Cookies are **not captured** in URL-based monitoring
+- ✅ Token replay attacks are mitigated (tokens still have expiration)
+
+## Implementation Details
+
+### Frontend Changes
+
+**Location:** `frontend/src/api/logs.ts`
+
+Removed:
+```typescript
+const token = localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token');
+if (token) {
+  params.append('token', token);
+}
+```
+
+The browser automatically sends the `auth_token` cookie when establishing WebSocket connections due to:
+1. The cookie is set by the backend during login with `HttpOnly`, `Secure`, and `SameSite` flags
+2. The axios client has `withCredentials: true`, enabling cookie transmission
+
+### Backend Changes
+
+**Location:** `backend/internal/api/middleware/auth.go`
+
+Authentication priority order:
+1. **Authorization header** (Bearer token) - for API clients
+2. **auth_token cookie** (HttpOnly) - **preferred for browsers and WebSockets**
+3. **token query parameter** - **deprecated**, kept for backward compatibility only
+
+The query parameter fallback is marked as deprecated and will be removed in a future version.
+
+### Cookie Configuration
+
+**Location:** `backend/internal/api/handlers/auth_handler.go`
+
+The `auth_token` cookie is set with security best practices:
+- **HttpOnly**: `true` - prevents JavaScript access (XSS protection)
+- **Secure**: `true` (in production with HTTPS) - prevents transmission over HTTP
+- **SameSite**: `Strict` (HTTPS) or `Lax` (HTTP/IP) - CSRF protection
+- **Path**: `/` - available for all routes
+- **MaxAge**: 24 hours - automatic expiration
+
+## Verification
+
+### Test Coverage
+
+**Location:** `backend/internal/api/middleware/auth_test.go`
+
+- `TestAuthMiddleware_Cookie` - verifies cookie authentication works
+- `TestAuthMiddleware_QueryParamFallback` - verifies deprecated query param still works
+- `TestAuthMiddleware_PrefersCookieOverQueryParam` - verifies cookie is prioritized over query param
+- `TestAuthMiddleware_PrefersAuthorizationHeader` - verifies header takes highest priority
+
+### Log Verification
+
+To verify tokens are not logged:
+
+1. **Before the fix:** Check Caddy access logs for token exposure:
+   ```bash
+   docker logs charon 2>&1 | grep "token=" | grep -o "token=[^&]*"
+   ```
+   Would show: `token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...`
+
+2. **After the fix:** Check that WebSocket URLs are clean:
+   ```bash
+   docker logs charon 2>&1 | grep "/logs/live\|/cerberus/logs/ws"
+   ```
+   Shows: `/api/v1/logs/live?source=waf&level=error` (no token)
+
+## Migration Path
+
+### For Users
+
+No action required. The change is transparent:
+- Login sets the HttpOnly cookie
+- WebSocket connections automatically use the cookie
+- Existing sessions continue to work
+
+### For API Clients
+
+API clients using Authorization headers are unaffected.
+
+### Deprecation Timeline
+
+1. **Current:** Query parameter authentication is deprecated but still functional
+2. **Future (v2.0):** Query parameter authentication will be removed entirely
+3. **Recommendation:** Any custom scripts or tools should migrate to using Authorization headers or cookie-based authentication
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [Authentication Flow](../plans/prev_spec_websocket_fix_dec16.md#authentication-flow)
+- [Security Best Practices](https://owasp.org/www-community/HttpOnly)
+- [WebSocket Security](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc6455#section-10)
diff --git a/frontend/package-lock.json b/frontend/package-lock.json
index 8cf0580f..5f5c5bb0 100644
--- a/frontend/package-lock.json
+++ b/frontend/package-lock.json
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
         "eslint-plugin-react-hooks": "^7.0.1",
         "eslint-plugin-react-refresh": "^0.4.25",
         "jsdom": "^27.3.0",
-        "knip": "^5.74.0",
+        "knip": "^5.75.1",
         "postcss": "^8.5.6",
         "tailwindcss": "^4.1.18",
         "typescript": "^5.9.3",
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@babel/core/-/core-7.28.5.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-e7jT4DxYvIDLk1ZHmU/m/mB19rex9sv0c2ftBtjSBv+kVM/902eh0fINUzD7UwLLNR+jU585GxUJ8/EBfAM5fw==",
       "dev": true,
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@babel/code-frame": "^7.27.1",
         "@babel/generator": "^7.28.5",
@@ -522,6 +523,7 @@
         }
       ],
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=18"
       },
@@ -568,6 +570,7 @@
         }
       ],
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=18"
       }
@@ -3259,8 +3262,7 @@
       "version": "5.0.4",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/aria-query/-/aria-query-5.0.4.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-rfT93uj5s0PRL7EzccGMs3brplhcrghnDoV26NqKhCAS1hVo+WdNsPvE/yb6ilfr5hi2MEk6d5EWJTKdxg8jVw==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "peer": true
+      "dev": true
     },
     "node_modules/@types/babel__core": {
       "version": "7.20.5",
@@ -3348,6 +3350,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-MWtvHrGZLFttgeEj28VXHxpmwYbor/ATPYbBfSFZEIRK0ecCFLl2Qo55z52Hss+UV9CRN7trSeq1zbgx7YDWWg==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "csstype": "^3.2.2"
       }
@@ -3358,6 +3361,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-jp2L/eY6fn+KgVVQAOqYItbF0VY/YApe5Mz2F0aykSO8gx31bYCZyvSeYxCHKvzHG5eZjc+zyaS5BrBWya2+kQ==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "peerDependencies": {
         "@types/react": "^19.2.0"
       }
@@ -3397,6 +3401,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-6/cmF2piao+f6wSxUsJLZjck7OQsYyRtcOZS02k7XINSNlz93v6emM8WutDQSXnroG2xwYlEVHJI+cPA7CPM3Q==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@typescript-eslint/scope-manager": "8.50.0",
         "@typescript-eslint/types": "8.50.0",
@@ -3777,6 +3782,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-rkoPH+RqWopVxDnCBE/ysIdfQ2A7j1eDmW8tCxxrR9nnFBa9jKf86VgsSAzxBd1x+ny0GC4JgiD3SNfRHv3pOg==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@vitest/utils": "4.0.16",
         "fflate": "^0.8.2",
@@ -3812,6 +3818,7 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/acorn/-/acorn-8.15.0.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-NZyJarBfL7nWwIq+FDL6Zp/yHEhePMNnnJ0y3qfieCrmNvYct8uvtiV41UvlSe6apAfk0fY1FbWx+NwfmpvtTg==",
       "dev": true,
+      "peer": true,
       "bin": {
         "acorn": "bin/acorn"
       },
@@ -4042,6 +4049,7 @@
         }
       ],
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "baseline-browser-mapping": "^2.9.0",
         "caniuse-lite": "^1.0.30001759",
@@ -4244,7 +4252,8 @@
     "node_modules/csstype": {
       "version": "3.2.3",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/csstype/-/csstype-3.2.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-z1HGKcYy2xA8AGQfwrn0PAy+PB7X/GSj3UVJW9qKyn43xWa+gl5nXmU4qqLMRzWVLFC8KusUX8T/0kCiOYpAIQ=="
+      "integrity": "sha512-z1HGKcYy2xA8AGQfwrn0PAy+PB7X/GSj3UVJW9qKyn43xWa+gl5nXmU4qqLMRzWVLFC8KusUX8T/0kCiOYpAIQ==",
+      "peer": true
     },
     "node_modules/data-urls": {
       "version": "6.0.0",
@@ -4333,8 +4342,7 @@
       "version": "0.5.16",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/dom-accessibility-api/-/dom-accessibility-api-0.5.16.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-X7BJ2yElsnOJ30pZF4uIIDfBEVgF4XEBxL9Bxhy6dnrm5hkzqmsWHGTiHqRiITNhMyFLyAiWndIJP7Z1NTteDg==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "peer": true
+      "dev": true
     },
     "node_modules/dunder-proto": {
       "version": "1.0.1",
@@ -4498,6 +4506,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-LEyamqS7W5HB3ujJyvi0HQK/dtVINZvd5mAAp9eT5S/ujByGjiZLCzPcHVzuXbpJDJF/cxwHlfceVUDZ2lnSTw==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@eslint-community/eslint-utils": "^4.8.0",
         "@eslint-community/regexpp": "^4.12.1",
@@ -5390,6 +5399,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-GtldT42B8+jefDUC4yUKAvsaOrH7PDHmZxZXNgF2xMmymjUbRYJvpAybZAKEmXDGTM0mCsz8duOa4vTm5AY2Kg==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@acemir/cssom": "^0.9.28",
         "@asamuzakjp/dom-selector": "^6.7.6",
@@ -5476,9 +5486,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/knip": {
-      "version": "5.74.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/knip/-/knip-5.74.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-xSG+vn403ONBkQtSBf1+kcE8ulzyQHLWIDQAxvu3W7HnM0jZJqVUPlK5w6FZNUyKnp+4FInsYQW77eapDpmcNA==",
+      "version": "5.75.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/knip/-/knip-5.75.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-raguBFxTUO5JKrv8rtC8wrOtzrDwWp/fOu1F1GhrHD1F3TD2fqI1Z74JB+PyFZubL+RxqOkhGStdPAvaaXSOWQ==",
       "dev": true,
       "funding": [
         {
@@ -5836,7 +5846,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/lz-string/-/lz-string-1.5.0.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-h5bgJWpxJNswbU7qCrV0tIKQCaS3blPDrqKWx+QxzuzL1zGUzij9XCWLrSLsJPu5t+eWA/ycetzYAO5IOMcWAQ==",
       "dev": true,
-      "peer": true,
       "bin": {
         "lz-string": "bin/bin.js"
       }
@@ -6250,6 +6259,7 @@
         }
       ],
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "nanoid": "^3.3.11",
         "picocolors": "^1.1.1",
@@ -6279,7 +6289,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/pretty-format/-/pretty-format-27.5.1.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-Qb1gy5OrP5+zDf2Bvnzdl3jsTf1qXVMazbvCoKhtKqVs4/YK4ozX4gKQJJVyNe+cajNPn0KoC0MC3FUmaHWEmQ==",
       "dev": true,
-      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "ansi-regex": "^5.0.1",
         "ansi-styles": "^5.0.0",
@@ -6294,7 +6303,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ansi-regex/-/ansi-regex-5.0.1.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-quJQXlTSUGL2LH9SUXo8VwsY4soanhgo6LNSm84E1LBcE8s3O0wpdiRzyR9z/ZZJMlMWv37qOOb9pdJlMUEKFQ==",
       "dev": true,
-      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=8"
       }
@@ -6304,7 +6312,6 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ansi-styles/-/ansi-styles-5.2.0.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-Cxwpt2SfTzTtXcfOlzGEee8O+c+MmUgGrNiBcXnuWxuFJHe6a5Hz7qwhwe5OgaSYI0IJvkLqWX1ASG+cJOkEiA==",
       "dev": true,
-      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=10"
       },
@@ -6352,6 +6359,7 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react/-/react-19.2.3.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-Ku/hhYbVjOQnXDZFv2+RibmLFGwFdeeKHFcOTlrt7xplBnya5OGn/hIRDsqDiSUcfORsDC7MPxwork8jBwsIWA==",
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=0.10.0"
       }
@@ -6361,6 +6369,7 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react-dom/-/react-dom-19.2.3.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-yELu4WmLPw5Mr/lmeEpox5rw3RETacE++JgHqQzd2dg+YbJuat3jH4ingc+WPZhxaoFzdv9y33G+F7Nl5O0GBg==",
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "scheduler": "^0.27.0"
       },
@@ -6405,8 +6414,7 @@
       "version": "17.0.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react-is/-/react-is-17.0.2.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-w2GsyukL62IJnlaff/nRegPQR94C/XXamvMWmSHRJ4y7Ts/4ocGRmTHvOs8PSE6pB3dWOrD/nueuU5sduBsQ4w==",
-      "dev": true,
-      "peer": true
+      "dev": true
     },
     "node_modules/react-refresh": {
       "version": "0.18.0",
@@ -6961,6 +6969,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-jl1vZzPDinLr9eUt3J/t7V6FgNEw9QjvBPdysz9KfQDD41fQrC2Y4vKQdiaUpFT4bXlb1RHhLpp8wtm6M5TgSw==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "peer": true,
       "bin": {
         "tsc": "bin/tsc",
         "tsserver": "bin/tsserver"
@@ -6998,8 +7007,7 @@
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/undici-types/-/undici-types-7.16.0.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-Zz+aZWSj8LE6zoxD+xrjh4VfkIG8Ya6LvYkZqtUQGJPZjYl53ypCaUwWqo7eI0x66KBGeRo+mlBEkMSeSZ38Nw==",
       "dev": true,
-      "license": "MIT",
-      "peer": true
+      "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/update-browserslist-db": {
       "version": "1.2.2",
@@ -7090,6 +7098,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-dZwN5L1VlUBewiP6H9s2+B3e3Jg96D0vzN+Ry73sOefebhYr9f94wwkMNN/9ouoU8pV1BqA1d1zGk8928cx0rg==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "esbuild": "^0.27.0",
         "fdir": "^6.5.0",
@@ -7165,6 +7174,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-E4t7DJ9pESL6E3I8nFjPa4xGUd3PmiWDLsDztS2qXSJWfHtbQnwAWylaBvSNY48I3vr8PTqIZlyK8TE3V3CA4Q==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@vitest/expect": "4.0.16",
         "@vitest/mocker": "4.0.16",
@@ -7402,6 +7412,7 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-JInaHOamG8pt5+Ey8kGmdcAcg3OL9reK8ltczgHTAwNhMys/6ThXHityHxVV2p3fkw/c+MAvBHFVYHFZDmjMCQ==",
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
       "funding": {
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/colinhacks"
       }
diff --git a/frontend/package.json b/frontend/package.json
index a9b2c90d..cc7b36c3 100644
--- a/frontend/package.json
+++ b/frontend/package.json
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
     "eslint-plugin-react-hooks": "^7.0.1",
     "eslint-plugin-react-refresh": "^0.4.25",
     "jsdom": "^27.3.0",
-    "knip": "^5.74.0",
+    "knip": "^5.75.1",
     "postcss": "^8.5.6",
     "tailwindcss": "^4.1.18",
     "typescript": "^5.9.3",
diff --git a/frontend/src/api/logs.ts b/frontend/src/api/logs.ts
index 1f6201c5..304c5254 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/logs.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/logs.ts
@@ -128,11 +128,8 @@ export const connectLiveLogs = (
   if (filters.level) params.append('level', filters.level);
   if (filters.source) params.append('source', filters.source);
 
-  // Get auth token from localStorage (key: charon_auth_token)
-  const token = localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token');
-  if (token) {
-    params.append('token', token);
-  }
+  // Authentication is handled via HttpOnly cookies sent automatically by the browser
+  // This prevents tokens from being logged in access logs or exposed to XSS attacks
 
   const protocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
   const wsUrl = `${protocol}//${window.location.host}/api/v1/logs/live?${params.toString()}`;
@@ -196,11 +193,8 @@ export const connectSecurityLogs = (
   if (filters.host) params.append('host', filters.host);
   if (filters.blocked_only) params.append('blocked_only', 'true');
 
-  // Get auth token from localStorage (key: charon_auth_token)
-  const token = localStorage.getItem('charon_auth_token');
-  if (token) {
-    params.append('token', token);
-  }
+  // Authentication is handled via HttpOnly cookies sent automatically by the browser
+  // This prevents tokens from being logged in access logs or exposed to XSS attacks
 
   const protocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
   const wsUrl = `${protocol}//${window.location.host}/api/v1/cerberus/logs/ws?${params.toString()}`;