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Essential PHP Security 'Store Session Data in a MySQL Database' how to impliment

Hiya, I asked about this script previous but decide to cut it short. Change my mind again and wish to impliment and understand it fully.

I understand most of how it works within itself its all DB query and comparing the data to make sure it matches, in short anyway.

But how do I actually implement it throughout my site?
Each function has RETURN. Do I simply call the function before something like an IF statement.
And what about my existing login? Do I call the _open() function before or during the query to check the username and password.

Suppose a lot to yet understand so anything you think can help me get started understand this
be good thanks loads

ray-solomon

Before you start coding, you really should read more to understand it better.
http://phpsec.org/php-security-guide.pdf

Vel Eous

A basic implementation could be:

" session id captured if/when login is successful (modification of your current login probably required)
" session id is stored in a database table (possibly with the session id and a timestamp)
" session id stored in a cookie on the client
" each time a "members" page is accessed, the session id is retrieved from the database and compared to that from the cookie
" upon a successful match the timestamp in the database is updated
" upon an unsuccessful match or the timestamp being greater than 1 hour (for example) session data is deleted from the database, cookie is deleted and user informed accordingly

Ryan Bayne

ASKER

ray-solomon I've looked over most of that already. I have used a lot of what is suggests but I still have no idea where I put _close() and _write() and theres nothing else that seems to explain that. Basically I'm not sure how you bring it all together

Tchuki i was to try and code your steps from what I'm thinking just now I'd have some script such as what I already use for security and sessions then a function is called...


1. session id captured if/when login is successful (modification of your current login probably required)
       function _open()  so my own current login checking POST data with DB data and say setting $auth = 'yes';  on success. 
 
Then do I use _write();
 
2.  session id is stored in a database table (possibly with the session id and a timestamp)
       function _write($id, $data)
 
3.  session id stored in a cookie on the client
            My own implentation of setting the cookie
 
4.  each time a "members" page is accessed, the session id is retrieved from the database and compared to that from the cookie
         _read($id)  and then compare the return with what I find in the cookie 
 
5. upon a successful match the timestamp in the database is updated
         _write($id, $data)    after I'm thinking an IF statement is run regarding outcome
 
6. upon an unsuccessful match or the timestamp being greater than 1 hour (for example) session data is deleted from the database, cookie is deleted and user informed accordingly
             part of the previous IF statement but different outcome

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Vel Eous

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Loganathan Natarajan

Hi,
please have a look at this article,

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/users-php-sessions-mysql

they have explained how to use session with login and implement..

hope this helps

also, http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2004/03/03/notes-on-php-session-security/

Ryan Bayne

ASKER

Tchuk I understand that script better BUT the script I showed a link to doesnt seem to come into play am I right?! It looks like just another version of

session_set_save_handler('_open',
'_close',
'_read',
'_write',
'_destroy',
'_clean');

Whatever, it looks like I could use your script as it is or atleast adapt it to my site a lot easier than what I was looking at already and I'm understanding it all more. Especially how I went to sleep for a bit lol

Thanks