> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://csbygb.gitbook.io/pentips/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://csbygb.gitbook.io/pentips/networking-protocols-and-network-pentest/imap.md).

# IMAP

> *Source CTF and HTB Academy*

* Usually on port 143, 993

With the help of the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), access to emails from a mail server is possible.\
IMAP allows online management of emails directly on the server and supports folder structures. Thus, it is a network protocol for the online management of emails on a remote server. The protocol is client-server-based and allows synchronization of a local email client with the mailbox on the server, providing a kind of network file system for emails, allowing problem-free synchronization across several independent clients.

## Commands

| Command                         | Description                                                                                               |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `1 LOGIN username password`     | User's login.                                                                                             |
| `1 LIST "" *`                   | Lists all directories.                                                                                    |
| `1 CREATE "INBOX"`              | Creates a mailbox with a specified name.                                                                  |
| `1 DELETE "INBOX"`              | Deletes a mailbox.                                                                                        |
| `1 RENAME "ToRead" "Important"` | Renames a mailbox.                                                                                        |
| `1 LSUB "" *`                   | Returns a subset of names from the set of names that the User has declared as being active or subscribed. |
| `1 SELECT INBOX`                | Selects a mailbox so that messages in the mailbox can be accessed.                                        |
| `1 UNSELECT INBOX`              | Exits the selected mailbox.                                                                               |
| `1 FETCH <ID> all`              | Retrieves data associated with a message in the mailbox.                                                  |
| `1 FETCH <ID> body[text]`       | Prints the body and text of the message which id is specified                                             |
| `1 CLOSE`                       | Removes all messages with the Deleted flag set.                                                           |
| `1 LOGOUT`                      | Closes the connection with the IMAP server.                                                               |

* [IMAP Commands](https://www.atmail.com/blog/imap-commands/)
* [IMAP Protocol Crib Sheet](https://donsutherland.org/crib/imap)

## Dangerous Settings

| Setting                   | Description                                                                               |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `auth_debug`              | Enables all authentication debug logging.                                                 |
| `auth_debug_passwords`    | This setting adjusts log verbosity, the submitted passwords, and the scheme gets logged.  |
| `auth_verbose`            | Logs unsuccessful authentication attempts and their reasons.                              |
| `auth_verbose_passwords`  | Passwords used for authentication are logged and can also be truncated.                   |
| `auth_anonymous_username` | This specifies the username to be used when logging in with the ANONYMOUS SASL mechanism. |

## Enumeration

* `nc -nv TARGET-IP 143`
* `sudo nmap 10.129.14.128 -sV -p143,993 -sC`
* `curl -k 'imaps://10.129.14.128' --user user:p4ssw0rd`
* `curl -k 'imaps://10.129.14.128' --user cry0l1t3:1234 -v`
* `openssl s_client -connect 10.129.14.128:imaps`

## Resources

{% embed url="<https://book.hacktricks.xyz/network-services-pentesting/pentesting-imap>" %}
Pentesting IMAP - Hacktricks
{% endembed %}


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