<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Why is MFA &#x27;Last used&#x27; null for first-time registrations with Email MFA enabled?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">We have a tenant configured with <code>MFA challenge = Required</code> using Email MFA. When users register for the first time and complete the MFA challenge during registration, the MFA method's <strong>Last used</strong> field remains <code>null</code> in the user profile, even though they successfully entered the MFA code.</p>
<p dir="auto">However, when the same user logs out and logs in again (in a new session), the <strong>Last used</strong> field updates correctly to show the timestamp.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Configuration:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>FusionAuth version: 1.69.2</li>
<li>MFA challenge: Required (at tenant and/or application level)</li>
<li>MFA method: Email</li>
</ul>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Question:</strong><br />
Is this the intended behavior for first-time registrations? We're concerned because it appears users can authenticate and receive access tokens even when the MFA <strong>Last used</strong> field is <code>null</code>, which we initially suspected might indicate incomplete MFA validation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://fusionauth.io/community/forum/topic/3223/why-is-mfa-last-used-null-for-first-time-registrations-with-email-mfa-enabled</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 16:21:02 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://fusionauth.io/community/forum/topic/3223.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:51:25 GMT</pubDate><ttl>60</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to Why is MFA &#x27;Last used&#x27; null for first-time registrations with Email MFA enabled? on Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:51:36 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">This is the <strong>expected behavior</strong> in FusionAuth. During first-time registration, when a user completes the MFA challenge (e.g., entering an email-based code), the <strong>Last used</strong> field for that MFA method is <strong>not</strong> populated immediately. It remains <code>null</code> after the initial registration flow.</p>
<p dir="auto">The <strong>Last used</strong> timestamp is only set on <strong>subsequent authentications</strong> after the user has been registered. Once the user logs out and logs back in (triggering a new authentication flow), the MFA method's <strong>Last used</strong> field will populate correctly with a timestamp.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Important clarification:</strong><br />
Even though <strong>Last used</strong> shows <code>null</code> after registration, the user <strong>is still required to complete the MFA challenge</strong> during the registration process. The <code>null</code> value does not indicate that MFA was bypassed — it simply means the "Last used" tracking starts from the second authentication onward, not the registration itself.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Regarding registration abuse:</strong><br />
If you're experiencing self-service registration abuse, the <code>null</code> <strong>Last used</strong> field is not the cause. Consider these mitigation strategies:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Identity Pre-Verification</strong> (available since v1.62.0): Use the <a href="https://fusionauth.io/docs/lifecycle/manage-users/verification/identity-pre-verification-using-email" rel="nofollow ugc">Identity Pre-Verification Using Email Verification Form</a> feature to require email verification before completing registration.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Third-party identity verification</strong>: Implement a self-service registration lambda that calls an external identity verification service via REST API before allowing user creation. <a href="https://fusionauth.io/blog/identity-verification-before-registration" rel="nofollow ugc">Fideo is a documented example</a>, but any identity verification system with a REST API can be integrated.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Rate limiting and CAPTCHA</strong>: Consider additional anti-abuse measures at the application level to prevent automated registration spam.</p>
</li>
</ol>
]]></description><link>https://fusionauth.io/community/forum/post/8783</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://fusionauth.io/community/forum/post/8783</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[FASupportBot]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:51:36 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>