# POP3

> *Source CTF and HTB Academy*

* Usually ports 110, 995

POP3 provides listing, retrieving, and deleting emails as functions at the email server.

## Commands

| Command         | Description                                                 |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `USER username` | Identifies the user.                                        |
| `PASS password` | Authentication of the user using its password.              |
| `STAT`          | Requests the number of saved emails from the server.        |
| `LIST`          | Requests from the server the number and size of all emails. |
| `RETR id`       | Requests the server to deliver the requested email by ID.   |
| `DELE id`       | Requests the server to delete the requested email by ID.    |
| `CAPA`          | Requests the server to display the server capabilities.     |
| `RSET`          | Requests the server to reset the transmitted information.   |
| `QUIT`          | Closes the connection with the POP3 server.                 |

## Dangerous settings

Same as imap see [here](/pentips/networking-protocols-and-network-pentest/imap.md)

## Enumeration

* `openssl s_client -connect TARGET-IP:995 -crlf -quiet` (995 is the port)
* `sudo nmap 10.129.14.128 -sV -p110,995 -sC`
* `sudo nmap -p 110,995 --script=pop3-* TARGET-IP` will try different enumeration including username enumeration
* `openssl s_client -connect 10.129.14.128:pop3s`
* `curl -k 'pop3s://10.129.250.84' --user robin:robin -v`

## Password spray & bruteforce

* `hydra pop3://TARGET-IP/TLS -L users.txt -P passwords.txt`

## Connect to an email account with openssl

```bash
openssl s_client -connect TARGET-IP:995
USER username@domain.com
PASS password
```

## Resources

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


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