analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation

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---
name: analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation
description: Parse and analyze email headers (Received chain, Return-Path, Message-ID)
  to trace the true origin of a phishing email and validate SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
  results to confirm or rule out sender spoofing. Use when triaging a suspicious or
  reported email, investigating a phishing incident, or verifying whether a message's
  sender domain was spoofed.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: digital-forensics
tags:
- forensics
- email-analysis
- phishing
- spf
- dkim
- dmarc
- header-analysis
version: '1.0'
author: mahipal
license: Apache-2.0
atlas_techniques:
- AML.T0052
nist_csf:
- RS.AN-03
- DE.AE-02
- RS.MA-01
mitre_attack:
- T1566.001
- T1566.002
- T1598.003
mitre_f3:
  version: '1.1'
  tactics:
  - reconnaissance
  - initial-access
  - stealth
  - resource-development
  techniques:
  - id: T1598
    name: Phishing for Information
    tactic: reconnaissance
    source: attack
  - id: T1660
    name: Phishing
    tactic: initial-access
    source: attack
  - id: T1672
    name: Email Spoofing
    tactic: stealth
    source: attack
  - id: F1032
    name: Impersonate Official
    tactic: initial-access
    source: f3
  - id: T1583.001
    name: 'Acquire Infrastructure: Domains'
    tactic: resource-development
    source: attack
  - id: F1020.002
    name: 'Create Fake Materials: Fake Website'
    tactic: resource-development
    source: f3
---

# Analyzing Email Headers for Phishing Investigation

## When to Use
- When investigating a suspected phishing email to determine its true origin
- For verifying sender authenticity and detecting email spoofing
- During incident response when a user has clicked a phishing link
- When tracing the delivery path and relay servers of a suspicious email
- For validating SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment to identify forgery

## Prerequisites
- Raw email headers from the suspicious message (EML or MSG format)
- Understanding of SMTP protocol and email header fields
- Access to DNS lookup tools (dig, nslookup) for SPF/DKIM/DMARC verification
- Email header analysis tools (MHA, emailheaders.net concepts)
- Python with email parsing libraries for automated analysis
- Access to threat intelligence platforms for IP/domain reputation

## Workflow

### Step 1: Extract Raw Email Headers

```bash
# Export from Outlook: Open email > File > Properties > Internet Headers
# Export from Gmail: Open email > Three dots > Show original
# Export from Thunderbird: View > Message Source

# If working with EML file from forensic image
cp /mnt/evidence/Users/suspect/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook/phishing_email.eml \
   /cases/case-2024-001/email/

# If working with PST file, extract individual messages
pip install pypff
python3 << 'PYEOF'
import pypff

pst = pypff.file()
pst.open("/cases/case-2024-001/email/outlook.pst")
root = pst.get_root_folder()

def extract_messages(folder, path=""):
    for i in range(folder.get_number_of_sub_messages()):
        msg = folder.get_sub_message(i)
        headers = msg.get_transport_headers()
        subject = msg.get_subject()
        if headers:
            filename = f"/cases/case-2024-001/email/msg_{i}_{subject[:30]}.txt"
            with open(filename, 'w') as f:
                f.write(headers)
    for i in range(folder.get_number_of_sub_folders()):
        extract_messages(folder.get_sub_folder(i))

extract_messages(root)
PYEOF
```

### Step 2: Parse the Email Header Chain

```bash
# Parse headers using Python email library
python3 << 'PYEOF'
import email
from email import policy

with open('/cases/case-2024-001/email/phishing_email.eml', 'r') as f:
    msg = email.message_from_file(f, policy=policy.default)

print("=== KEY HEADER FIELDS ===")
print(f"From:          {msg['From']}")
print(f"To:            {msg['To']}")
print(f"Subject:       {msg['Subject']}")
print(f"Date:          {msg['Date']}")
print(f"Message-ID:    {msg['Message-ID']}")
print(f"Reply-To:      {msg['Reply-To']}")
print(f"Return-Path: