Random Malformed order confirmation emails

[DrByte]

The < character is probably being treated as the beginning of an HTML tag, and since HTML tags are stripped out of text-only emails (for safety and appearance reasons), that's likely why the problem is occurring for you.

Glad you have a workaround.

[cliffvt]

Yes thanks! I guess this should be reported as a bug since, if the character is encountered as part of a static description field, it's obviously not an HTML tag and should be preserved for the text version.

Cheers

Cliff

[DrByte]

We'll look into it.

However, HTML tags *do* (unfortunately) get used in various description fields, making it a little tough to apply simple generic rules to data parsing. Especially when the 'value' could be a text field that was entered by the customer ... which then brings security risks if not properly sanitized.

[DrByte]

Puzzling. I've tested the use of "Child < 12" as the option value, and can't reproduce any problems with emails getting truncated.

[cliffvt]

Dear Dr Byte

I can now confirm that it ONLY happens if this exact condition is met : "Child <12" i.e. if there is NO SPACE between the "<" and the next bit of text! How funny!!

I made a brand new test install and tested "Child < 12" which worked fine, and then "Child <12" which malformed the email.

Can you work that one out? :)

Kind regards

Cliff

[cliffvt]

Hah! I also notice that if you should enter "Child <Twelve" for example, then it totally ignores the "<Twelve" bit in the description in the Admin panel, and in the shop it shows "[Child <Twelve"]" (i.e. followed by a quote mark)
See image below:


Interesting!

[DrByte]

What happens if you replace the "<" with "&lt;" instead?

[cliffvt]

Dr Byte

Just tested that, and whilst it looks correct on the option value (shows Child <12", when it gets to the checkout cart, it shows as "Child &lt;12" and the email is once again malformed.

Cheers

Cliff

[DrByte]

What exactly do you mean by "the email is malformed"? You mean it skips a section? Or do you mean the &lt; shows up in the email and makes it look funny?

[cliffvt]

I showed in my first post exactly what happens. The email terminates after the "Child <12" product line is encountered and it skips the rest of the email - leaving out the order totals, payment method, shipping details etc.. here is the example from the first post again:
"-----Original Message-----
From: Elmbridge Choir Ticket Shop [mailto:tickets@*****.co.uk]
Sent: 05 July 2009 07:59
To: [email protected]
Subject: [NEW ORDER] Order Confirmation No: 111

AuthCode: TransID: 71P1129940060464T

Order Confirmation from Elmbridge Choir Ticket Shop

CUSTOMER NAME

Thanks for shopping with us today!
The following are the details of your order.
------------------------------------------------------
Order Number: 111
Date Ordered: Sunday 05 July, 2009
Detailed Invoice:
http://[removed]

Products
------------------------------------------------------
2 x Summer Picnic Concert - Molesey Regatta 19 July 2009 = £16.00
Ticket Type ADULT
2 x Summer Picnic Concert - Molesey Regatta 19 July 2009 = £8.00
[FONT=&quot] Ticket Type CHILD"[/FONT]

> It terminates here and only adds the " [FONT=&quot]This email address was given to us by you or by one of our customers..." bit.

It also does the same with the email that goes to the customer.
Cheers

Cliff
[/FONT]