Fix insecure phpBB forum password in Welcome e-mail
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:52 am
Hi RunRev
As you are no doubt aware, the welcome e-mail message sent to new forum users after registration includes the password the user entered in clear text. Would it be possible to remove the password from the message? Sending a clear-text password across unencrypted e-mail is something that I think should be avoided where possible.
Furthermore, how is it that the password the user enters on the forum registration webpage can be stored in such a way that it is possible to retrieve the clear-text password? Shouldn't there be some kind of secure hash that gets stored instead? Preferably one not readily converted back to the clear-text password without some considerable computational effort.
If there are limitations in the current version of phpBB then I request that a clear and obvious note is added to the sign-up page to inform users how their password is stored, especially if it is not as per (practicable) best practice security. Had I known this I would have used a different password altogether :)
As you are no doubt aware, the welcome e-mail message sent to new forum users after registration includes the password the user entered in clear text. Would it be possible to remove the password from the message? Sending a clear-text password across unencrypted e-mail is something that I think should be avoided where possible.
Furthermore, how is it that the password the user enters on the forum registration webpage can be stored in such a way that it is possible to retrieve the clear-text password? Shouldn't there be some kind of secure hash that gets stored instead? Preferably one not readily converted back to the clear-text password without some considerable computational effort.
If there are limitations in the current version of phpBB then I request that a clear and obvious note is added to the sign-up page to inform users how their password is stored, especially if it is not as per (practicable) best practice security. Had I known this I would have used a different password altogether :)