Re: "Forgot Password" function

["David Bullock" <davidbullock () tech-center com>]

You can also mail a link with a secured hash to their email address, for
them to enter a new password.

Emailing them the password not only as the risk of sending the password in
the clear, you also have to store it in the clear, and that carries it's own
risks.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brecrost Jones" <brecrost () hotmail com>
To: <webappsec () securityfocus com>
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 10:31 AM
Subject: "Forgot Password" function


I'm looking for opinions on the most secure way to implement a "Forgot my
password" function for a website.  I know that having this feature is
probably an inherent security risk, but __assuming that it is a required
feature__ what would be the most secure way to implement it?

Is the "enter your email address and we'll mail you the password" the best
way to go?  As far as I can tell, it's the most common.  But I'm not sure if
I'm comfortable sending the password in a clear text email message.

I don't really like the "secret question" method either, since if someone
can get the question, they may be able to guess the answer.

Are there other methods out there?  Has anyone come up with a novel solution
that is more secure?