Why do I always see a success message when submitting the password reset form?

Article author
Josh Lopez
  • Updated

When users submit a forgot password request, Memberstack intentionally provides a generic response that does not reveal whether the email address exists in the system or not. This approach is a critical security measure designed to prevent email enumeration by potential attackers.

In a typical scenario, malicious actors often attempt to probe forgot password forms to discover valid email addresses. By creating an ambiguous response mechanism, Memberstack disrupts this reconnaissance strategy. Whether the submitted email exists or not, users receive the same neutral message: "If this email exists, you'll receive an email with reset instructions."

For example, if a bad actor attempts to verify email addresses like "konstantin.haefner@velsa2.de" or "bob@barker.com", the system responds identically. This means:

  • The attacker cannot determine which email addresses are legitimate
  • Brute-force attempts to map existing accounts become significantly more difficult
  • The system protects user privacy and prevents potential account targeting

The green checkmark in the success message further reinforces this strategy, signaling that the request was processed without revealing any specific information about the account's existence.

By implementing this approach, Memberstack adds an essential layer of security that helps protect user accounts from unauthorized access attempts.

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