Store user password in session

Presentation

Password is not a common attribute. Indeed, in most of the cases, it is not stored in clear text in the backend (LDAP or database).

So, to keep user password in session, you cannot just export the password variable in session. To bypass this, LL::NG can remember what password was given by user on authentication phase.

Attention

  • As this may be a security hole, password store in session is not activated by default

  • This mechanism can only work with authentication backends using a login/password form (LDAP, DBI, …) so not with Kerberos for example

  • This mechanism will not work with Persistent connections plugin, as the password is not available if user is automatically connected

Configuration

Go in Manager, General Parameters » Sessions » Store user password in session data and set to On.

Usage

User password is now available in $_password variable. For example, to send it in an header:

Auth-Password => $_password

Tip

For security reasons, the password is not shown in sessions explorer.