(PHP 4 >= 4.3.2, PHP 5, PHP 7)
session_regenerate_id — Update the current session id with a newly generated one
$delete_old_session = false
] )session_regenerate_id() will replace the current session id with a new one, and keep the current session information.
When session.use_trans_sid is enabled, output must be started after session_regenerate_id() call. Otherwise, old session ID is used.
delete_old_sessionWhether to delete the old associated session file or not.
Returns TRUE on success or FALSE on failure.
| Version | Description |
|---|---|
| 4.3.3 | Since then, if session cookies are enabled, use of session_regenerate_id() will also submit a new session cookie with the new session id. |
| 5.1.0 |
Added the delete_old_session parameter.
|
Example #1 A session_regenerate_id() example
<?php
session_start();
$old_sessionid = session_id();
session_regenerate_id();
$new_sessionid = session_id();
echo "Old Session: $old_sessionid<br />";
echo "New Session: $new_sessionid<br />";
print_r($_SESSION);
?>
In a previous note, php at 5mm de describes how to prevent session hijacking by
ensuring that the session id provided matches the HTTP_USER_AGENT and REMOTE_ADDR fields that were present when the session id was first issued. It should be noted that HTTP_USER_AGENT is supplied by the client, and so can be easily modified by a malicious user. Also, the client IP addresses can be spoofed, although that's a bit more difficult. Care should be taken when relying on the session for authentication.
I wrote the following code for a project I'm working on- it attempts to resolve the regenerate issue, as well as deal with a couple of other session related things.
I tried to make it a little more generic and usable (for instance, in the full version it throws different types of exceptions for the different types of session issues), so hopefully someone might find it useful.
<?php
function regenerateSession($reload = false)
{
// This token is used by forms to prevent cross site forgery attempts
if(!isset($_SESSION['nonce']) || $reload)
$_SESSION['nonce'] = md5(microtime(true));
if(!isset($_SESSION['IPaddress']) || $reload)
$_SESSION['IPaddress'] = $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'];
if(!isset($_SESSION['userAgent']) || $reload)
$_SESSION['userAgent'] = $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'];
//$_SESSION['user_id'] = $this->user->getId();
// Set current session to expire in 1 minute
$_SESSION['OBSOLETE'] = true;
$_SESSION['EXPIRES'] = time() + 60;
// Create new session without destroying the old one
session_regenerate_id(false);
// Grab current session ID and close both sessions to allow other scripts to use them
$newSession = session_id();
session_write_close();
// Set session ID to the new one, and start it back up again
session_id($newSession);
session_start();
// Don't want this one to expire
unset($_SESSION['OBSOLETE']);
unset($_SESSION['EXPIRES']);
}
function checkSession()
{
try{
if($_SESSION['OBSOLETE'] && ($_SESSION['EXPIRES'] < time()))
throw new Exception('Attempt to use expired session.');
if(!is_numeric($_SESSION['user_id']))
throw new Exception('No session started.');
if($_SESSION['IPaddress'] != $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'])
throw new Exception('IP Address mixmatch (possible session hijacking attempt).');
if($_SESSION['userAgent'] != $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'])
throw new Exception('Useragent mixmatch (possible session hijacking attempt).');
if(!$this->loadUser($_SESSION['user_id']))
throw new Exception('Attempted to log in user that does not exist with ID: ' . $_SESSION['user_id']);
if(!$_SESSION['OBSOLETE'] && mt_rand(1, 100) == 1)
{
$this->regenerateSession();
}
return true;
}catch(Exception $e){
return false;
}
}
?>
Also note that REMOTE_ADDR may change on every request if the user comes through a proxy farm. Most AOL-users do.
`session_regenerate_id` sends a new cookie but doesn't overwrite the value stored in `$_COOKIE`. After calling `session_destroy`, the open session ID is discarded, so simply restarting the session with `session_start` (as done in Ben Johnson's code) will re-open the original, though now empty, session for the current request (subsequent requests will use the new session ID). Instead of `session_destroy`+`session_start`, use the `$delete_old_session` parameter to `session_regenerate_id` to delete the previous session data.
<?php
session_start();
/* Create a new session, deleting the previous session data. */
session_regenerate_id(TRUE);
/* erase data carried over from previous session */
$_SESSION=array();
?>
To start a new session and leave the old untouched, simply leave out the argument to `session_regenerate_id`.
If you are trying to maintain 2 active sessions don't use session_regenerate_id(). Especially if the first session is closed and it's time to open the second. Because the session id is cached you also have to explicitly set it the second time.
<?php
session_name('PHPSESSID'); // redundant - here for clarity
session_start();
// ...do stuff
session_write_close();
// now switch to session 2...
session_name('PHPSESSID_2');
if (isset($_COOKIE['phpsessid_2']))
session_id($_COOKIE['phpsessid_2']); // not doing this will simply reopen the first session again
else
session_id(sha1(mt_rand()); // dont use session_regenerate_id() here. Not creating a new id will create two cookies with same session id and same session variables
session_start();
// ... do stuff with session 2
session_write_close();
?>
This can be a very dangerous function if you're not careful about how you handle things, because even though it generates a whole new set of session data, it keeps the old data "open" until the script terminates, locking out any other scripts trying to run concurrently with the old session id.
Recently I came across a situation where I wanted to explicitly pass in a session ID, copy the data from that session into a *new* session, and then continue operating under that new session, thereby allowing other scripts to use the old one concurrently. But I quickly found that these "other scripts" would not execute until the first script finished--even though it had already started a new session--because it kept the old session open.
So if you're trying to copy over session data to a new session to free up the old session for continued, concurrent use, here's some code to ensure nobody's feet get stepped on:
<?php
// get session id of an existing session
$sid = $_GET['sid'];
// start the old session to retrieve $_SESSION data
session_id($sid);
session_start();
// start a new session; this copies the $_SESSION data over
session_regenerate_id();
// hang on to the new session id
$sid = session_id();
// close the old and new sessions
session_write_close();
// re-open the new session
session_id($sid);
session_start();
/* main code here */
?>
This could probably be encapsulated into a function with one parameter as well to save space if it was a repeated thing.
I wrote the current top voted comment on this and wanted to add something. The existing code from my previous comment generates it's nonces in an insecure way-
<?php
$_SESSION['nonce'] = md5(microtime(true));
?>
Since "microtime" is predictable it makes brute forcing the nonce much easier. A better option would be something that utilizes randomness, such as-
<?php
bin2hex(openssl_random_pseudo_bytes(32))
?>
Session_destroy() does not only destroy the data associated with the current session_id (i.e. the file if you use the default session save handler), but also the session itself: if you call session_destroy() and then session_regenerate_id(), it will return false, and session_id() won't return anything. In order to manipulate a session after destroying it, you need to restart it.
So in fact, the code mentionned by chris won't work. If you want to destroy the file associated with the old session_id, try the following:
<?php
session_start();
$old_sessid = session_id();
session_regenerate_id();
$new_sessid = session_id();
session_id($old_sessid);
session_destroy();
//If you don't copy the $_SESSION array, you won't be able to use the data associated with the old session id.
$old_session = $_SESSION;
session_id($new_sessid);
session_start();
$_SESSION = $old_session;
//...
?>
Note: this technique will send 3 Set-Cookie headers (one on each session_start() and one on session_regenerate_id()). I don't think this is a problem, but if it appears to be one, you could either leave it alone and wait for the garbage collector to catch the file associated with the old session, or try to delete the file with unlink().
as far as I have understood reading this online notes,
session_name() is the name which is identified as session a through the cookies or http links.
session_id is like a transaction within a session_name() and one session_name may have many session_id
each session_id has the corresponding data stored.
session_id are used in read and write callback under a session_name
whatever it is, first call the
session_name(),
then call session_id ()
and then call start_session()
start_session will open the session_name, then check the session_id called before and use it in the read or write call back for storing or retrieving data
calling start_session() without session_name or session_id will use the default session_name and the default session_id in that order
I hope if the order is followed there should not be any problems.
do not call session_name or session_id after start_session(), if you are specific on using them.
thank you for others note.
To add to php at 5mm de's comments:
If the session is held over https, it's even better to save the client's cert or ssl session id instead of the hostname or ip, as it's proxy-transparent and more secure.
I had problems with a proxy changing a visitors session_id-cookie, so he'd get a LOT of errors when visiting my site.
I handled the bogus session-id's like this. (Note: It only works in versions > 4.3.2.)
<?php
// Start a session and suppress error-messages.
@session_start();
// Catch bogus session-id's.
if (!preg_match("/^[0-9a-z]*$/i", session_id())) {
// Output a warning about the messed up session-id.
$error->handleError("WARN", "Your session id is messed up, you might not be able to use some features on this site.");
// Generate a fresh session-id.
session_regenerate_id();
}
// Site contents.
?>
Hope someone can use it.
There could be a potential problem with elger at NOSPAM dot yellowbee dot nl's a few posts below. In the code, was used the REQUEST_URI server variable, which, in some cases might already contain the query string. Therefore, always apending '?whatever=foo' would occasionally cause the script to malfunction. I suggest using PHP_SELF, which will not contain the query string after the file.
By inspecting the source code, I am not sure that after session_regenerate_id() run, the original session data does not destroy (still keeps at the system) that sniffers still hijack by applying original session identifier.
In addition, I find that if user-level session storage handler is used. session_regenerate_id() does not work.
This feature seems to create a new session ID without clearing the old session data. This is a very important feature for security validation:
$usedns = TRUE; // for eliminating failture by proxys using IP chains, but slower
$useragent = getenv("HTTP_USER_AGENT");
$host = getenv("REMOTE_ADDR");
$dns = $global['dns'] ? @gethostbyaddr($host):$host;
session_start();
if(session_is_registered('securitycheck')) {
if(
(($_SESSION['session']['host'] != $this->host) && !$usedns)
|| ($_SESSION['session']['dns'] != $this->dns)
|| ($_SESSION['session']['useragent'] != $this->useragent)
) {
session_regenerate_id();
session_unset();
}
} else {
$currentdata = array();
$currentdata['host'] = $this->host;
$currentdata['dns'] = $this->dns;
$currentdata['useragent'] = $this->useragent;
session_register('securitycheck', $currentdata);
}
If sombody steals an active SID (e.g. by referrer or injection attack), he can�t be validated because of either the host / dns or useragent and will get a new (empty) SID, without interrupting the original session.
Please mail me for any comments: php at 5mm de
Take good notice of the new cookie being sent on calling session_regenerate_id on cookie-enabled sessions.
Make sure your page is reloaded otherwise you'll get an "session_destroy(): Session object destruction failed" error. So here are the examples:
Wrong:
<?php
session_start();
session_regenerate_id();
session_destroy();
?>
Correct-like:
<?php
if (!$_GET['mode']){
session_start();
session_regenerate_id();
header('location: '.$_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'].'?mode=destroy');
} else {
session_start();
session_destroy();
}
?>
I noted this because googleing on the previous mentioned error leads to all kinds of bug reports, but not to the solution. (which is, of course, to read the manual)
If you are storing your session data in a database you have to manually update the session_id in the database. The session_set_save_handler() will not do it for you.
function UpdateSessID() {
$old_sess_id = session_id();
session_regenerate_id(false);
$new_sess_id = session_id();
$query = "UPDATE `session_table` SET `session_id` = '$new_sess_id' WHERE session_id = '$old_sess_id'";
mysql_query($query);
}
Be sure to set session_regenerate_id() to FALSE since it's not really necessary to delete the whole record from MySQL and add it again. That's unnecessary overhead. Only changing the id matters.
for php 5.1> user probably worth visiting is http://ilia.ws/archives/47-session_regenerate_id-Improvement.html
A note on lost sessions and trying to fix it with session_regenerate_id:
Make sure that you're not trying to push SimpleXML object to the session. It just won't go without first converting it to array. :)
licp - no, session_regenerate_id() does not destroy any saved session data.
elger, I prefer the following order
[code]
// populate $_SESSION with any previously saved session data for the current session_id
session_start();
...
// delete any saved data associated with current session_id, $_SESSION is not changed
session_destroy();
// change session_id, $_SESSION not altered
session_regenerate_id();
...
// save any $_SESSION data under the current session_id
session_close();
[/code]
This function is vital in preventing session fixation attacks, but is unfortunately missing in PHP versions prior to 4.3.2. This creates a serious security problem if you can't update your PHP version, like me. Therefore I attempted to port this function to PHP itself:
<?php
if (!function_exists('session_regenerate_id')) {
function php_combined_lcg() {
$tv = gettimeofday();
$lcg['s1'] = $tv['sec'] ^ (~$tv['usec']);
$lcg['s2'] = posix_getpid();
$q = (int) ($lcg['s1'] / 53668);
$lcg['s1'] = (int) (40014 * ($lcg['s1'] - 53668 * $q) - 12211 * $q);
if ($lcg['s1'] < 0)
$lcg['s1'] += 2147483563;
$q = (int) ($lcg['s2'] / 52774);
$lcg['s2'] = (int) (40692 * ($lcg['s2'] - 52774 * $q) - 3791 * $q);
if ($lcg['s2'] < 0)
$lcg['s2'] += 2147483399;
$z = (int) ($lcg['s1'] - $lcg['s2']);
if ($z < 1) {
$z += 2147483562;
}
return $z * 4.656613e-10;
}
function session_regenerate_id() {
$tv = gettimeofday();
$buf = sprintf("%.15s%ld%ld%0.8f", $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'], $tv['sec'], $tv['usec'], php_combined_lcg() * 10);
session_id(md5($buf));
if (ini_get('session.use_cookies'))
setcookie('PHPSESSID', session_id(), NULL, '/');
return TRUE;
}
}
?>
To test this:
<?php
session_start();
$sid = session_id();
session_regenerate_id();
echo "Old session ID: ", $sid, "\nNew session ID: ", session_id(), "\n";
?>
- will output something similar to:
Old session ID: 6e3521f44be4fc452b368e703f044ca1
New session ID: 1c6dac9a3e794f164d4115872b902471
I am calling session_regenerate_id() from inside a method in an object. Since session fixation can occur at permission changes, I have my object call session fixation at these particular security changes.
Unfortunately, it seems to fabricate some kind of temporary new session, and then the very next page that loads, it jumps back to the old session id. There seems to be no way to make the regeneration perminent.
To "start a new session", try the following:
<?php
session_start();
session_regenerate_id();
session_destroy();
unset($_SESSION);
session_start();
?>
It would be more reliable to use the following regular expression when checking session_ids, as HEX strings (MD5) are only of characters a-f and 0-9;
preg_match('/[0-f]/i', $session_id);
