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Quick security question

Nate

Quick security question
« on: June 20, 2002, 12:21:00 AM »
I'm using the imap-before-smtp and pop-before-smtp.  Some of the users utilize mail2web.com (even though the IMP 3.0 is much nicer).  I'm getting mail2web IP's(multiple ones) in the 'accepted' smtp log folders.  Anyone think this might be a problem?
thanks,
Nate

robert

Re: Quick security question
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2002, 03:52:18 AM »
Sending mail from external hosts through your smtp server is allowed iff (if and only if) the recipient is a local account. Have a look at /var/spool/smtpd/etc/smtpd_check_rules.

Nathan Fowler

Re: Quick security question
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2002, 06:15:58 AM »
Nate, nice name.
I'm not familiar with mail2web, what is this, a web based IMAP application?  If so, depending on the way the system operates depends on whether or not these entries are updated in smtpd_check_rules.  By default, local addresses should not be added to smtpd_check_rules by pop-before-smtp.

As a security concern, I really wouldn't be worried.  To be quite honest from a security aspect (unauthorized utilization of your smtpd server as a public relay) pop-before-smtp isn't the most secure solution.  A user does not have to authorize to be granted access to the smtpd server, it simply needs to connect on pop3/popSSL/imap to be granted access.  However, access is only granted to the smtpd server for a select amount of time (10 Minutes), and, you do have a log file of these connections.

There is no other way to provide access control over smtpd_check_rules without patching the qmail daemon, and even then you wouldn't be able to support IMAP without patching IMAP.

To recap, pop-before-smtp isn't a strict authorization based implemention of the pop-before-smtp logic, however it does require no modification to the system and IP's are only allowed access for a limited duration.

What this means in the real world:
It depends on how much you care about being "exploited".  Worst case scenario is you assist in the propogation of SPAM via relaying. There is a trade off with any listening daemon, service versus security.  The call is really your own, and from the research I've done this is the only pop-before-smtp implementation for the Obtuse SMTP daemon.

Hope this answered your questions, if you have more feel free to contact me,
Nathan (The guy who wrote pop-before-smtp for e-smith)

Nate

Re: Quick security question
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2002, 06:41:30 AM »
Very cool name (actually mine is Nathan),
Anyway, I not real concerned about it.  The imap and pop before smtp works sweet, thanks a bunch for creating it.  Without it I wouldn't be using e-smith, because external access to the smtp is a must(some remote location ISP's won't allow use to use their smtp if we use our local pop/imap email).  I'm not real concerned about somebody using my server to spam since they would only have 10 minutes until it would be impossible.  I just noticed all these odd IP's in the pop and imap before smtp logs--traced them back to mail2web.com(the ip they use changes everytime).  Mail2web.com is a pop and imap web-based access to email.  We have used it alot in the past because it requires no sign-up, and the web site is always working.  Now that I installed IMP 3.0, hopefully they will start using it more.  
thanks again for creating the imap and pop before smtp and for your input,
Nate

Nathan Fowler

Re: Quick security question
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2002, 06:44:18 AM »
Anytime, glad you enjoy it.  Make sure you have the most current version, released June 06 (I believe).

Nathan

Paul

Re: Quick security question
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2002, 01:48:34 AM »
Hi there
I don't follow !
Does it mean if you have the pop-before-smtp that users from outside can authenticate by popping, then send mail to users other that those on the server (local) ?

If not, how do I implement the following....

I need to make my server available to users logging in from the Internet via web (IMP) or mail client like OE and POP and send mail also to other users just like an ISP. (Although I'm not an ISP, but acting as for a closed group)

regards
Paul

Nathan Fowler


Guck Puppy

[OFFTOPIC] Re: Quick security question
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2002, 01:56:42 AM »
I feel compelled to say, your domain is truly disgusting, nay, obscene!

Congrats, and keep up the good work.

G

Nathan Fowler

Re: [OFFTOPIC] Re: Quick security question
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2002, 01:58:53 AM »
Hey, why Yahoo (TM) when you can Stickit.NU? ;)

If it makes you feel any better, I'm actually not a porn site.

Nathan