Password reset is one of those features that looks simple until you start thinking about it from a security point of view.
The flow is usually straightforward:
A user enters their email.
They receive a reset link.
They set a new password.
They get back into their account.
From the user’s perspective, it feels like a small part of the login experience.
But from a developer’s perspective, this flow deserves a lot more attention.
Why?
Because a password reset token is not just a random string.
It is temporary access to a user’s account.
If someone gets access to that token while it is still valid, they may be able to reset the password without knowing the old one.
That is why reset tokens should never be treated like normal application data.
- Exposing reset tokens without thinking about leakage
Many apps use reset links like this:
https://example.com/reset-password?token=abc123
This approach is common, but the risk starts when we forget where URLs can end up.
A reset URL can accidentally appear in:
browser history
server logs
analytics tools
error tracking tools
screenshots
third-party scripts
referrer headers
That does not always mean instant compromise, especially if the token is short-lived and single-use.
But it does increase the attack surface.
The important thing to remember is that the token in the URL is not harmless. It represents temporary account access.
- Storing reset tokens in unsafe places
Another mistake is allowing reset tokens to end up in places where they should not exist.
For example:
localStorage.setItem("resetToken", token);
This is risky because reset tokens should not be stored in localStorage.
They should also not appear in:
application logs
monitoring dashboards
error reports
debugging output
frontend storage
A reset token should be handled like a temporary credential.
If you would not store a password there, you probably should not store a reset token there either.
A safer approach
A better password reset implementation usually includes these practices:
Generate a strong random token
Store only the hashed version of the token on the backend
Set a short expiry time
Expire the token after one successful use
Avoid logging reset URLs
Use HTTPS everywhere
Keep token exposure on the frontend as limited as possible
The goal is not to make the flow complicated.
The goal is to reduce the chances of a reset token being leaked, reused, or exposed unnecessarily.
Final thoughts
Password reset is not just a convenience feature.
It is part of your authentication system.
And anything that can give access to a user’s account should be handled carefully.
The main mindset shift is simple:
Do not treat reset tokens like normal data. Treat them like temporary credentials.
Small implementation details in password reset flows can make a big difference in account security.
I wrote a more detailed guide on password reset token risks and safer implementation patterns here:
https://sentrixhub.com/password-reset-tokens-in-urls-security-risks/
