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Analyzing Email Headers For Phishing Investigation

  • 466 installs
  • 27.3k repo stars
  • Updated August 2, 2026
  • mukul975/anthropic-cybersecurity-skills

analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation is a cybersecurity skill that parses raw email headers, traces SMTP hops, and checks SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment so developers investigating suspected phishing can ve

About

analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation is version 1.0 of a digital-forensics skill in mukul975/anthropic-cybersecurity-skills authored under Apache-2.0 license. The workflow parses raw email headers, traces SMTP relay hops, and validates SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment to spot spoofing during phishing triage. Tags include forensics, email-analysis, phishing, and header-analysis, with mappings to ATLAS technique AML.T0052 and NIST CSF controls RS.AN-01, RS.AN-03, DE.AE-02, and RS.MA-01. Developers and security engineers reach for this skill when a suspicious message needs origin tracing beyond reading the visible From field.

  • Workflow for extracting raw headers from EML/MSG, Gmail, and Outlook
  • SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation with DNS lookups (dig/nslookup)
  • SMTP path tracing and relay identification for spoofing cases
  • Python-oriented automated parsing aligned with MHA-style header review
  • Threat-intel hooks for IP and domain reputation during phishing IR

Analyzing Email Headers For Phishing Investigation by the numbers

  • 466 all-time installs (skills.sh)
  • +30 installs in the week ending Aug 4, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
  • Ranked #515 of 2,203 Security skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
  • Security screen: HIGH risk (skills.sh audit)
  • Data as of Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
npx skills add https://github.com/mukul975/anthropic-cybersecurity-skills --skill analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation

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Installs466
repo stars27.3k
Security audit2 / 3 scanners passed
Last updatedAugust 2, 2026
Repositorymukul975/anthropic-cybersecurity-skills

How do you investigate phishing from raw email headers?

Investigate suspected phishing by parsing raw headers, tracing SMTP hops, and checking SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment.

Who is it for?

Developers and security engineers triaging suspected phishing emails who need structured header forensics and authentication alignment checks.

Skip if: Teams needing malware sandbox detonation, endpoint EDR response, or automated SOAR playbooks should use dedicated incident-response tooling beyond this header-analysis skill.

When should I use this skill?

The user investigates a suspected phishing email and needs raw header parsing with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation.

What you get

Header parse report, SMTP hop trace, and SPF/DKIM/DMARC alignment findings documenting spoofing indicators.

By the numbers

  • Skill version 1.0 under Apache-2.0 license
  • Maps to 4 NIST CSF controls: RS.AN-01, RS.AN-03, DE.AE-02, RS.MA-01
  • Tags include spf, dkim, dmarc, phishing, and header-analysis

Files

SKILL.mdMarkdownGitHub ↗

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

# 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

# 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:   {msg['Return-Path']}")
print(f"X-Mailer:      {msg['X-Mailer']}")
print(f"X-Originating-IP: {msg['X-Originating-IP']}")

print("\n=== RECEIVED HEADERS (bottom-up = chronological) ===")
received_headers = msg.get_all('Received')
if received_headers:
    for i, header in enumerate(reversed(received_headers)):
        print(f"\nHop {i+1}: {header.strip()}")

print("\n=== AUTHENTICATION RESULTS ===")
auth_results = msg.get_all('Authentication-Results')
if auth_results:
    for result in auth_results:
        print(result)

print(f"\nARC-Authentication-Results: {msg.get('ARC-Authentication-Results', 'Not present')}")
print(f"Received-SPF: {msg.get('Received-SPF', 'Not present')}")
print(f"DKIM-Signature: {msg.get('DKIM-Signature', 'Not present')}")
PYEOF

Step 3: Validate SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records

# Extract the envelope sender domain
SENDER_DOMAIN="example-corp.com"

# Check SPF record
dig TXT $SENDER_DOMAIN +short | grep "v=spf1"
# Example: "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net ~all"

# Check DKIM record (selector from DKIM-Signature header, e.g., "s=selector1")
DKIM_SELECTOR="selector1"
dig TXT ${DKIM_SELECTOR}._domainkey.${SENDER_DOMAIN} +short

# Check DMARC record
dig TXT _dmarc.${SENDER_DOMAIN} +short
# Example: "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example-corp.com; pct=100"

# Verify the sending IP against SPF
# Extract IP from first Received header
SENDING_IP="203.0.113.45"

# Manual SPF check using python
python3 << 'PYEOF'
import spf  # pip install pyspf

result, explanation = spf.check2(
    i='203.0.113.45',
    s='sender@example-corp.com',
    h='mail.example-corp.com'
)
print(f"SPF Result: {result}")
print(f"Explanation: {explanation}")
# Results: pass, fail, softfail, neutral, none, temperror, permerror
PYEOF

# Check if sending IP is in known malicious IP lists
# Query AbuseIPDB or VirusTotal
curl -s "https://api.abuseipdb.com/api/v2/check?ipAddress=${SENDING_IP}" \
   -H "Key: YOUR_API_KEY" -H "Accept: application/json" | python3 -m json.tool

Step 4: Analyze Sender Domain and Infrastructure

# WHOIS lookup on sender domain
whois $SENDER_DOMAIN | grep -iE '(registrar|creation|expiration|registrant|nameserver)'

# Check domain age (recently registered domains are suspicious)
# DNS record investigation
dig A $SENDER_DOMAIN +short
dig MX $SENDER_DOMAIN +short
dig NS $SENDER_DOMAIN +short

# Reverse DNS on sending IP
dig -x $SENDING_IP +short

# Check for lookalike/typosquatting domains
# Compare with legitimate domain using visual similarity
python3 << 'PYEOF'
import Levenshtein  # pip install python-Levenshtein

legitimate = "microsoft.com"
suspicious = "micr0soft.com"

distance = Levenshtein.distance(legitimate, suspicious)
ratio = Levenshtein.ratio(legitimate, suspicious)
print(f"Edit distance: {distance}")
print(f"Similarity ratio: {ratio:.2%}")
if ratio > 0.8:
    print("WARNING: Likely typosquatting/lookalike domain!")
PYEOF

# Check domain reputation on VirusTotal
curl -s "https://www.virustotal.com/api/v3/domains/${SENDER_DOMAIN}" \
   -H "x-apikey: YOUR_VT_API_KEY" | python3 -m json.tool

# Check if the Reply-To differs from From (common phishing indicator)
python3 -c "
import email
with open('/cases/case-2024-001/email/phishing_email.eml') as f:
    msg = email.message_from_file(f)
from_addr = email.utils.parseaddr(msg['From'])[1]
reply_to = email.utils.parseaddr(msg.get('Reply-To', msg['From']))[1]
if from_addr != reply_to:
    print(f'WARNING: From ({from_addr}) != Reply-To ({reply_to})')
else:
    print('From and Reply-To match')
"

Step 5: Examine Email Body and Attachments

# Extract URLs from email body
python3 << 'PYEOF'
import email
import re
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)

body = msg.get_body(preferencelist=('html', 'plain'))
if body:
    content = body.get_content()
    urls = re.findall(r'https?://[^\s<>"\']+', content)
    print("=== URLs FOUND IN EMAIL BODY ===")
    for url in set(urls):
        print(f"  {url}")

    # Check for URL obfuscation (display text != href)
    href_pattern = re.findall(r'<a[^>]*href=["\']([^"\']+)["\'][^>]*>(.*?)</a>', content, re.DOTALL)
    print("\n=== HYPERLINK ANALYSIS ===")
    for href, text in href_pattern:
        display_url = re.findall(r'https?://[^\s<]+', text)
        if display_url and display_url[0] != href:
            print(f"  MISMATCH: Display='{display_url[0]}' -> Actual='{href}'")

# Extract and hash attachments
print("\n=== ATTACHMENTS ===")
for part in msg.walk():
    if part.get_content_disposition() == 'attachment':
        filename = part.get_filename()
        content = part.get_payload(decode=True)
        import hashlib
        sha256 = hashlib.sha256(content).hexdigest()
        print(f"  File: {filename}, Size: {len(content)}, SHA-256: {sha256}")
        with open(f'/cases/case-2024-001/email/attachments/{filename}', 'wb') as af:
            af.write(content)
PYEOF

# Submit attachment hashes to VirusTotal
# Submit URLs to URLhaus or PhishTank for reputation check

Key Concepts

ConceptDescription
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)DNS record specifying authorized mail servers for a domain
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)Cryptographic signature verifying email content integrity
DMARCPolicy framework combining SPF and DKIM for sender authentication
Received headersServer-added headers showing each hop in the delivery chain (read bottom to top)
Return-PathEnvelope sender address used for bounce messages; may differ from From
Message-IDUnique identifier assigned by the originating mail server
X-Originating-IPOriginal sender IP address (added by some mail services)
Header forgeryAttackers can forge From, Reply-To, and other headers but not Received chains

Tools & Systems

ToolPurpose
MXToolboxOnline email header analyzer and DNS lookup
dig/nslookupDNS record queries for SPF, DKIM, DMARC verification
pyspfPython SPF record validation library
dkimpyPython DKIM signature verification library
PhishToolSpecialized phishing email analysis platform
VirusTotalURL and file reputation checking service
AbuseIPDBIP address reputation database
whoisDomain registration information lookup

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: CEO Fraud / Business Email Compromise The email claims to be from the CEO but Reply-To points to a Gmail address, SPF fails because the sending IP is not authorized for the spoofed domain, DKIM is missing, and the From domain is a lookalike (ceo-company.com vs company.com).

Scenario 2: Credential Harvesting Phishing Email contains a link that displays "login.microsoft.com" but href points to a lookalike domain, the attachment is an HTML file containing a fake login page with credential exfiltration JavaScript, the sending domain was registered 3 days ago.

Scenario 3: Malware Delivery via Attachment Email with an Office document attachment containing macros, the sender domain passes SPF but the account was compromised, DKIM signature is valid (sent from legitimate infrastructure), attachment SHA-256 matches known malware on VirusTotal.

Scenario 4: Spear Phishing with Legitimate Service Attacker uses a legitimate email marketing service to send phishing, SPF and DKIM pass because the service is authorized, the phishing is in the content not the infrastructure, requires URL and content analysis rather than header authentication checks.

Output Format

Email Header Analysis Report:
  Subject:     "Urgent: Invoice Payment Required"
  From:        accounting@examp1e-corp.com (SPOOFED)
  Reply-To:    payments.urgent@gmail.com (MISMATCH)
  Return-Path: <bounce@mail-server.xyz>
  Date:        2024-01-15 09:23:45 UTC

  Delivery Path (4 hops):
    Hop 1: mail-server.xyz [203.0.113.45] -> relay1.isp.com
    Hop 2: relay1.isp.com -> mx.target-company.com
    Hop 3: mx.target-company.com -> internal-filter.target.com
    Hop 4: internal-filter.target.com -> mailbox

  Authentication:
    SPF:    FAIL (203.0.113.45 not authorized for examp1e-corp.com)
    DKIM:   NONE (no signature present)
    DMARC:  FAIL (p=none, no enforcement)

  Indicators of Phishing:
    - Lookalike domain (examp1e-corp.com vs example-corp.com, 96% similar)
    - From/Reply-To mismatch
    - Domain registered 2 days before email sent
    - URL in body points to credential harvesting page
    - Attachment: invoice.xlsm (SHA-256: a3f2...) - Known malware on VT

  Risk Level: HIGH

Related skills

FAQ

What authentication checks does analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation run?

analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation validates SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment while parsing raw headers and tracing SMTP hops. The skill helps determine whether the visible sender matches authenticated mail paths or shows spoofing indicators.

Which frameworks does analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation reference?

analyzing-email-headers-for-phishing-investigation version 1.0 lists NIST CSF controls RS.AN-01, RS.AN-03, DE.AE-02, and RS.MA-01 plus ATLAS technique AML.T0052. The skill is tagged for digital-forensics email-analysis workflows under Apache-2.0 license.

Is Analyzing Email Headers For Phishing Investigation safe to install?

skills.sh reports 2 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.

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