Question

I am developing one PHP web application, I want to provide more security to application so that no one can easily break the functionality.

Brief explanation about my problem :
In one module there is one stage where I am checking the source of the request ( from where this request is coming from )

Currently, I am using HTTP_REFERRER variable ( available in php ). I am checking this variable value with one specific URL (e.g. http://www.example.com/test.php ). If exact match exist then only I am calling further actions.

I am bit confused with above approach, whether should i use HTTP_REFERRER or check with IP address( valid request if it is coming from any specific IP address )?

I also want to know better approaches for providing security.

Is anyone has idea then please share ?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Lesson #1 in web security:
NEVER trust user input. And when I say never, I mean never. 😉 Including the HTTP_REFER var in PHP which is easily compromised with an http header (source: http://www.mustap.com/phpzone_post_62_how-to-bypass-the-referer-se)

A possible solution in checking the source is the using a form token (csrf protection): http://www.thespanner.co.uk/2007/04/12/one-time-form-tokens/ but isn’t that safe either and is only possible with your own source.

A simple CSRF (cross-site request forgery) protection example: (Hence the simple. For a more safe/robust solution, refer to the answer of The Rook)

1) In your form page, create some kind of token and put in your session and in a hidden form field:

<?php
    session_start();
    $csrfToken = md5(uniqid(mt_rand(),true)); // Token generation updated, as suggested by The Rook. Thanks!

    $_SESSION['csrfToken'] = $token;
?>
<form action="formHandler.php">
   <input type="hidden" name="csrfKey" value="<?php echo $csrfToken ?>" />
</form>

2) In your form handler check if the token is valid.

<?php
   session_start();
   if($_POST['csrfKey'] != $_SESSION['csrfKey']) {
      die("Unauthorized source!");
   }
?>