An emerging exploitation method known as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) smuggling is being exploited by malicious actors to send counterfeit emails with falsified sender addresses, effectively evading established security measures.

In a recent analysis, Timo Longin, a senior security consultant at SEC Consult, shed light on a concerning issue – the exploitation of vulnerable SMTP servers worldwide. These threat actors are using these servers to launch targeted phishing attacks by sending malicious emails from random sender addresses. This revelation emphasizes the vulnerability of these servers and how they can be easily manipulated for malicious purposes. It is crucial for organizations to take immediate action to secure their SMTP servers and protect themselves from potential cyber threats.

SMTP, short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is a widely used TCP/IP protocol that plays a crucial role in the exchange of emails. It acts as a bridge between an email client, also known as a mail user agent, and a server, facilitating the transmission of email content. This process involves the assistance of a mail transfer agent (MTA) that verifies the recipient’s domain. If the recipient’s domain differs from the sender’s, the MTA accesses the Domain Name System (DNS) to retrieve the MX (mail exchanger) record, which helps in the smooth exchange of emails

                                                                             Credit: SEC Consult

SMTP smuggling is a technique that takes advantage of the differences in how outbound and inbound servers handle end-of-data sequences. This disparity creates an opportunity for malicious individuals to bypass established protocols, giving them the ability to tamper with message data, secretly insert unauthorized SMTP commands, and even send separate emails without detection. These actions pose a real threat to the security and privacy of email communications.

As a consequence, forged emails can deceive recipients by appearing genuine, successfully evading security measures such as Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC). This manipulation within the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) causes recipient servers to treat these emails as two distinct entities instead of a unified message.

To address this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations and email service providers to implement robust security measures. This includes regularly updating and patching SMTP servers to ensure they are protected against known vulnerabilities. Additionally, employing strong authentication mechanisms and encryption protocols can help safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of email exchanges.

By staying vigilant and proactive in addressing these vulnerabilities, we can ensure that SMTP continues to serve as a reliable and secure protocol for email communication.

Reference:

https://sec-consult.com/blog/detail/smtp-smuggling-spoofing-e-mails-worldwide/