What security measures should be implemented in PHP scripts for password reset to prevent unauthorized access?

To prevent unauthorized access in PHP password reset scripts, it is essential to implement security measures such as using unique and time-limited reset tokens, verifying the token before allowing password reset, logging all reset attempts, and sending notifications to the user when a reset request is made. 

// Generate a unique and time-limited reset token
$token = bin2hex(random_bytes(16)); // Generate a random token
$expiry = date('Y-m-d H:i:s', strtotime('+1 hour')); // Set expiry time to 1 hour from now

// Store the token and expiry time in the database for the user

// Verify the token before allowing password reset
if(isset($_GET['token'])) {
    $token = $_GET['token'];
    // Check if the token exists in the database and is not expired
    // If valid, allow password reset
}

// Log all reset attempts
// Log IP address, timestamp, user ID, and whether the attempt was successful

// Send notification to the user when a reset request is made
// Notify the user via email or SMS that a password reset request was initiated

Keywords

SQL injection CSRF token password hashing secure email communication two-factor authentication

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