New users unable to register - Captcha not working

Technical Details

Forum version : #phpBB2
Position : Administrator
Concerned browser(s) : Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Other
Screenshot of problem : https://i.servimg.com/u/f37/15/90/17/13/captur12.png
Who the problem concerns : All members
When the problem appeared : First reported 26th Dec 2016
Forum link : http://t-a-c.actionboard.net/

Description of problem

Since about 26th Dec, new users have been unable to register on our forum.
The "Captcha" simply does not proceed to the final stage. It's unclear what is supposed to happen next. This mis-behaviour is blocking new registrations.

1. Input name & choose a password


2. Re-enter password on Captcha page. Click 'Verify' on the Captcha.


3. Choose your favourite colour (but how does it know? user never entered this so far)


4. Captcha shows an advert. Save button does nothing.


This is happening in multiple browsers.
Thanks.

It seems that the state machine isn't advancing correctly.
If I manually edit the URL parameters to ?agreed=true&step=3
and switch to the audio captcha version, I have been able to register, after a couple of attempts (and having increased the per-ip-address 24-hour registration lmit).

Alternatively please let me know how to remove the captcha from our site. We already require manual account activation in any case so this isn't strictly necessary.

Thanks

Hello,

To disable this feature, just go to ACP (admin panel)-->Users and groups-->User Options-->Confirmation code--> Tick this to 'no' and save.

Hope this helps,
-Brandon

Captcha complex with the Vietnamese language, we do not know

All you have to do to get bypassed it is simple.

Verify --> hit any of the side arrows --> done --> and then continue.

You should be able to get passed it then.

brandon_g wrote:Hello,
To disable this feature, just go to ACP (admin panel)-->Users and groups-->User Options-->Confirmation code--> Tick this to 'no' and save.

Thanks @Brandon I will try this as a workaround.

thoang wrote:Captcha complex with the Vietnamese language, we do not know

Fortrunately our site is in English @thoang so this does not apply.

Draxion wrote:All you have to do to get bypassed it is simple.
Verify --> hit any of the side arrows --> done --> and then continue.
You should be able to get passed it then.

@Draxion this is not working, neither for me nor at least 2 other people who have been trying to register. The state machine becomes stuck on &step=2, it should advance to &step=3 but fails to do so.

Thanks, Ed.

What do you mean by stuck on number 2?

OK. Removing the captcha as suggested by @brandon_g has not worked.
It has clarified the issue though, which seems to be related to the 'Confirm password' form.

@SLGray what I mean is that the URL contains a parameter &step=2 which presumably should advance to &step=3 but fails to do so. Look at the URL bar.

Initial registration, accept/reject T&Cs:
http://t-a-c.actionboard.net/register

Click 'I Accept...' get a form to enter username, password etc.:
http://t-a-c.actionboard.net/register?agreed=true&step=2

Submit that form, get a further form to verify password:
http://t-a-c.actionboard.net/register?agreed=true&step=2

I would be grateful if some of you could please try out this registration process on our forum and let me know whether you succeed or not.

This is now fixed. It was related to a javascript function which we have been using for the past 2+ years to validate usernames according to a certain regex.

Some setting or attribute has been changed in the background, causing this script to activate on the verification form_confirm (as well as the intended form_register) thereby creating this issue.

Thanks
Ed

Okay, glad you were able to get it fixed.

If this is solved, be sure to edit the topic icon to 'solved'

Thanks for posting the solution.

Topic marked solved and archived ~ brandon_g Please read our forum rules: ESF General Rules