spec checked

OWASP Forgot Password Cheat Sheet

Documents forgot-password request handling, consistent response messages and timing, side-channel delivery, cryptographically strong single-use expiring tokens, rate limiting, no automatic login after reset, optional session invalidation, and post-reset notification.

Open source

Pattern Decisions This Source Supports

Pattern Supported decision Required contract Claim note
Password reset Choose password reset when an unauthenticated or partially authenticated user needs to regain account access by proving control of a recovery channel and setting a replacement password. Submitting an identifier always leads to the same visible confirmation, regardless of whether an account exists. OWASP supports neutral reset responses, delivery by email or other side channel, single-use expiring tokens, rate limiting, no automatic login, optional session invalidation, and notifications.

Evidence Role

This source is treated as spec evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.

Publisher: OWASP Cheat Sheet Series. Last checked: .