Overview
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the protocol by which Internet mail is sent. SMTP servers use this protocol to communicate with other servers or mail clients. However, by telneting directly to a mail server and manually speaking SMTP, one can easily send mail from any address specified - meaning that mail can be sent from fake addresses while the sender's real address is untraceable.
What is Needed?
All that you need is a generic telnet client. Local echo should be turned on so you can see what you type. Also, it is important to note that SMTP servers do not handle backspaces, so you must type everything correctly.
How do I Start?
Telnet to port 25 of your target SMTP server. The server should respond with a generic welcome message. You will type HELO domain.name. Use any domain name you wish as most servers do not check the name against the IP you are telneting from.
Type
MAIL FROM: <from@wherever.com>This where the message will appear to be from.
Next,
type RCPT TO: <to@wherever.com>This specifies who will receive the message.
Type DATA and type the body of your message. To send the message, enter a line with only a period.
Type QUIT to disconnect.
Sample Session :
220 hq.af.mil Sendmail 4.1/Mork-1.0 ready at Thu, 14This is the body of a sample message.
Mar 96 00:26:46 EST
HELO prometheus.com
250 hq.af.mil Hello prometheus.com (prometheus.com),
pleased to meet you
MAIL FROM:<4nti@l33t.net>
250 <4nti@l33t.net>...Sender ok
RCPT TO:<OJ@simpson.com>
250 <OJ@simpson.com>... Recipient ok
DATA 354 Enter mail, end with "." on a line by itself
250 Mail accepted QUIT 221 hq.af.mil = delivering mail
What about message subjects?
The subject, date, to, etc. are part of the DATA area. After the DATA command, start with date and continue is the fashion illustrated by the example code below. Make sure there are no mistakes, because the first mistake will cause the data to appear in the body of the message, not header.
It is interesting, because these fields take precedence over the MAIL FROM: and RCPT TO: when displaying. A message can be routed to a person even though the message itself appears to be addressed to someone else.
The key is to type VERY carefully.
Example:
DATA
Date: 23 Oct 81 11:22:33
From: SMTP@HOSTY.ARPA
To: JOE@HOSTW.ARPA
Subject: Mail System Problem Sorry JOE, your message to SAM@HOSTZ.ARPA lost.
HOSTZ.ARPA said this.
Can my mail be traced?
Normally , Yes, the IP address you mailed from can be traced if you are not careful. All mail will show a line in the header listing the IP address that you originally telneted from. If the person you are sending mail to doesn't know much about IP's and the like, you shouldn't worry too much. Furthermore, depending on your the nature of your connection, there are different implications. For instance, if you have a direct connection, you can be easily traced by your IP address.
On the other hand, if you have a dial-in connection or service such as AOL, you will not have a defined IP address. You will be assigned a temporary one. The only way your mail can be traced with this type of connection is to check against the dial in service's system logs. The take-home message is that you are safe with this type of connection unless you do something really stupid. Finally, the best case scenario is a public access terminal with no logging. This type connection is untraceable.
What SMTP servers can I use?
An easy (but hit-or-miss) way to find random SMTP servers is to look at web addresses on Yahoo! or another search engine. Universities and government agencies are always good choices.
Find a URL and telnet to port 25. If you get a response, you have located an available server. 95% of servers will accept your mail. The others will not allow external mail forwarding for security reasons. Always test the server first.
How to find your own IP-Less Severs
Finding your own servers that do not append IP to message headers is a relatively easy process if you know what to look for. There are many SMTP server programs out there. Sometimes you will hit an odd system with an unusual server program that you can test by hand.
However, the easiest way it to look for the more common ones. By far, the easiest to look for is a certain older Sendmail version that many systems still use. To find it, connect with a server as usual. Examine the welcome text.
You are looking for a line that looks like the following:
220 xxxx.xxxx.xxx Smail3.1.29.1 #15 ready at Mon, 10 Jan 96 12:34 EDT
The important part is the Smail3.1.29.1. If you find a server with this number, 3.1.29.1, or another 3.x.x.x number, you have what you are looking for.
Credits: pv.4nti
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