The missing bug may be a result of the recent server issues.
Nope - I was just imagining I raised it. I didn't. Here is the original bug from the SME 7.1.1. to 7.1.2 upgrade, raised two years ago to the day:
http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2402It explains the same problem, the same issues with the cookies, and a solution.