How does using a hash function like md5 impact password retrieval and resetting processes in PHP applications?

Using a hash function like md5 for passwords in PHP applications can impact password retrieval and resetting processes as md5 is a one-way hashing algorithm, meaning the original password cannot be retrieved from the hash. To address this issue, when a user requests a password reset, a temporary token can be generated, stored in the database alongside the user's information, and sent to the user's email for verification. 

// Generate a random token
$token = bin2hex(random_bytes(16));

// Store the token in the database along with the user's ID
$query = "UPDATE users SET reset_token = '$token' WHERE email = '$user_email'";
// Execute the query

// Send the token to the user's email for verification
$email_subject = "Password Reset Request";
$email_body = "Click the following link to reset your password: http://example.com/reset_password.php?token=$token";
// Send email using mail() function or a library like PHPMailer

Keywords

hash function md5 password retrieval password resetting PHP applications

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