Good
point. I never realized that. I thought that the From:/To:
fields were populated from the MAIL FROM and RCPT TO entries that are
passed to
the mail server.
From:
CommuniGate Pro Discussions
[mailto:CGatePro@mail.stalker.com] On Behalf Of Nicolas Hatier
Sent: June 26, 2009 12:01 PM
To: CommuniGate Pro Discussions
Subject: Re: Sending FROM accounts in domain even with
authentication
enabled
"MAIL FROM" is an SMTP command, not a mail header... The DATA portion
of the SMTP transaction is usually left mostly unmodified in its way to
the
client. Some additional headers are added (Return-Path, which
corresponds to
the MAIL FROM smtp command, Received, and other headers added by
content
filters).
You should never rely on the From header to programmatically determine
where a
message comes from, always on the Return-Path. The Form is easily
forged. The
Return-path too, but at least it can't be forged to an internal address
when
SMTP Auth is enabled.
One notable exception is when using a content filter such as
DKIM/DomainKeys.
DomainKeys will read the reported "From" address, and verify if the
message signature matches the "From domain" public key. And if there
is no signature, it will verify whether or not the "From domain"
publicly announces it always sign messages. Using such a filter is
another step
against impersonation, which is what you currently seem to aim.
Best regards
Nicolas Hatier
David Modoski wrote:
Nevermind, I figured out the reason though not sure if there's a way to prevent it.
Apparently you can issue the "MAIL FROM:" command with an outside email address and then later in the transaction after issuing the DATA command you can insert a FROM: within the data portion which appears to over-ride the "MAIL FROM:" in the header. The only indication is in the long header where the "Return Path" is set to the real email address submitted.
-----Original Message-----
From: CommuniGate Pro Discussions [mailto:CGatePro@mail.stalker.com] On Behalf Of David Modoski
Sent: June 26, 2009 9:27 AM
To: CommuniGate Pro Discussions
Subject: Re: Sending FROM accounts in domain even with authentication enabled
I understand that concept. However, this does not apply to email originating from our server. I can require that all of OUR users authenticate before they are allowed to submit email (any other domain on the Internet can submit email without authentication). This does work because as I stated when I connect to the SMTP port and send the FROM command with an account within our domain I immediately get a notification that the account requires authentication before submitting email. I don't understand how the spammers appear to be bypassing this. I'll need to check out the server logs to see if I can find any additional information.
The exact error message when using a CGP domain account
575 david.modoski@mydomain.com sender requires authentication
-----Original Message-----
From: CommuniGate Pro Discussions [mailto:CGatePro@mail.stalker.com] On Behalf Of Lyle Giese
Sent: June 26, 2009 8:21 AM
To: CommuniGate Pro Discussions
Subject: Re: Sending FROM accounts in domain even with authentication enabled
David Modoski wrote:
We have authentication enabled for all of our CGP accounts for sending
email. This requires that the account holder authenticate to the
server before submitting mail. I've tested by connecting to the SMTP
port and using a FROM address within our domain (I'm informed by the
server that this account needs to authenticate before sending mail).
However, I've just started receiving SPAM that is address FROM an
email account within the domain. Anyone have any ideas how that might
be getting through?
Thanks,
Dave
This requirement is for relaying email, not sending email. You may say
what's the difference? Relaying means the email will be relayed/sent to
another email server. Sending can include email for here.
If you required Authenication for all email, you will be unable to get
email from the world as other mail servers won't be able to send email
to your domains.
Lyle Giese
LCR Computer Services, Inc.