Re: Marketo cannot identify web form fillout: <unknown>

Dan_Radu5 · ‎03-14-2019

I've been noticing that some records are entering in the database through a web form fill out. However Marketo cannot identify the name of the form (substituting <unknown>) they filled out to do so.

Has anyone encountered this issue before, and if so how did you identify the form?

Thanks

SanfordWhiteman · ‎03-15-2019

Unfortunately there is no detail in the record's activity log to indicate the page where they came from or any web activity.

Yes, it would appear you have some legacy back-end process somewhere, probably processing some one-off HTML form, that just throws data at the /save endpoint and expects it to stick (which to be fair, it does!). If the process included more info about itself (like a source field) you'd be able to identify it. Right now, it deliberately just includes the Email field and the Munchkin ID.

How do you prevent POST to the forms endpoint without a form id?

If you turn the Admin Treasure Chest option "Reject Invalid Form" that should do it. But I don't advise switching that on if you're getting legit leads this way, unless you're sure someone will immediately holler, "Hey, my weird old form doesn't work anymore."

I would do a more thorough canvassing of all the possible people who could be maintaining legacy back-end code first. Tell them you're seeing HTTP form-encoded POSTs to the Marketo instance (app-nnnn.marketo.com/index.php/leadCapture/save) and hopefully they'll search their source code and find the culprit.

View solution in original post

SanfordWhiteman · ‎03-14-2019

What are the other properties of that Detail page? Does it have the page hosting this unknown form? This behavior happens if you POST (server-side post, which is of course not recommended) to the forms endpoint without a form id.

Dan_Radu5 · ‎03-15-2019

Hi Sandford,

Thanks for the response.

The extended activity details page can be found here.

Unfortunately there is no detail in the record's activity log to indicate the page where they came from or any web activity.

How do you prevent POST to the forms endpoint without a form id? As well, would you know how the form could be located?

Thanks again for your help.

SanfordWhiteman · ‎03-15-2019

Unfortunately there is no detail in the record's activity log to indicate the page where they came from or any web activity.

Yes, it would appear you have some legacy back-end process somewhere, probably processing some one-off HTML form, that just throws data at the /save endpoint and expects it to stick (which to be fair, it does!). If the process included more info about itself (like a source field) you'd be able to identify it. Right now, it deliberately just includes the Email field and the Munchkin ID.

How do you prevent POST to the forms endpoint without a form id?

If you turn the Admin Treasure Chest option "Reject Invalid Form" that should do it. But I don't advise switching that on if you're getting legit leads this way, unless you're sure someone will immediately holler, "Hey, my weird old form doesn't work anymore."

I would do a more thorough canvassing of all the possible people who could be maintaining legacy back-end code first. Tell them you're seeing HTTP form-encoded POSTs to the Marketo instance (app-nnnn.marketo.com/index.php/leadCapture/save) and hopefully they'll search their source code and find the culprit.

Dan_Radu5 · ‎03-18-2019

Thanks Sandford,

Your response was very helpful.