mailauth: Email Authentication for Node.js

!mailauth Logo

mailauth is a comprehensive Node.js library and command-line utility for email authentication. It provides tools to work with various email security protocols, including SPF, DKIM, DMARC, ARC, BIMI, and MTA-STS. With mailauth, you can verify and sign emails, handle authentication results, and enhance your email security setup.

Key Features:

- SPF verification
- DKIM signing and verification
- DMARC verification
- ARC verification and sealing
- Sealing during authentication
- Sealing after message modifications
- BIMI resolving and VMC validation
- MTA-STS helper functions

mailauth is a pure JavaScript implementation, requiring no external applications or compilation. It runs on any server or device with Node.js version 20.18.1 or later.

> [!NOTE]
> mailauth is used by EmailEngine for validating email authentication settings. See the Email Authentication Testing documentation for details.

Table of Contents

1. Installation
2. Command-Line Usage
3. Library Usage
- Authentication
- DKIM
- Signing
- Verification
- SPF
- Verification
- ARC
- Validation
- Sealing
- DMARC
- Helpers
- BIMI
- MTA-STS
- Policy Retrieval
- MX Validation
4. Testing
5. License

Installation

First, install mailauth from npm:

``bash
npm install mailauth
`

Then, import the desired methods into your script:

`javascript
const { authenticate } = require('mailauth');
`

Command-Line Usage

mailauth includes a command-line utility called mailauth. For detailed information on how to use it, see the command-line documentation.

Library Usage

$3

Use the authenticate function to validate DKIM signatures, SPF, DMARC, ARC, and BIMI for an email.

#### Syntax

`javascript
await authenticate(message [, options])
// Returns: { dkim, spf, arc, dmarc, bimi, receivedChain, headers }
`

#### Parameters

- message: A String, Buffer, or Readable stream representing the email message.
- options (optional):
- sender (string): Email address from the MAIL FROM command. Defaults to the Return-Path header if not set.
- ip (string): IP address of the remote client that sent the message.
- helo (string): Hostname from the HELO/EHLO command.
- trustReceived (boolean): If true, parses ip and helo from the latest Received header if not provided. Defaults to false.
- mta (string): Hostname of the server performing the authentication. Defaults to os.hostname(). Included in Authentication headers.
- minBitLength (number): Minimum allowed bits for RSA public keys. Defaults to 1024. Keys with fewer bits will fail validation.
- disableArc (boolean): If true, skips ARC checks.
- disableDmarc (boolean): If true, skips DMARC checks, also disabling dependent checks like BIMI.
- disableBimi (boolean): If true, skips BIMI checks.
- seal (object): Options for ARC sealing if the message doesn't have a broken ARC chain.
- signingDomain (string): ARC key domain name.
- selector (string): ARC key selector.
- privateKey (string or Buffer): Private key for signing (RSA or Ed25519).
- resolver (async function): Custom DNS resolver function. Defaults to dns.promises.resolve.
- maxResolveCount (number): DNS lookup limit for SPF. Defaults to 10 as per RFC7208.
- maxVoidCount (number): DNS lookup limit for SPF producing empty results. Defaults to 2 as per RFC7208.

#### Example

`javascript
const { authenticate } = require('mailauth');
const dns = require('dns');

const message = / Your email message here /;

const { dkim, spf, arc, dmarc, bimi, receivedChain, headers } = await authenticate(message, {
// SMTP transmission options
ip: '217.146.67.33', // SMTP client IP
helo: 'uvn-67-33.tll01.zonevs.eu', // HELO/EHLO hostname
sender: 'andris@ekiri.ee', // MAIL FROM address

// Uncomment to parse ip and helo from the latest Received header
// trustReceived: true,

// Server performing the authentication
mta: 'mx.ethereal.email',

// Optional DNS resolver function
resolver: async (name, rr) => await dns.promises.resolve(name, rr),
});

// Output authenticated message
process.stdout.write(headers); // Includes terminating line break
process.stdout.write(message);
`

Sample Output:

`
Received-SPF: pass (mx.ethereal.email: domain of andris@ekiri.ee designates 217.146.67.33 as permitted sender) client-ip=217.146.67.33;
Authentication-Results: mx.ethereal.email;
dkim=pass header.i=@ekiri.ee header.s=default header.a=rsa-sha256 header.b=TXuCNlsq;
spf=pass (mx.ethereal.email: domain of andris@ekiri.ee designates 217.146.67.33 as permitted sender) smtp.mailfrom=andris@ekiri.ee
smtp.helo=uvn-67-33.tll01.zonevs.eu;
arc=pass (i=2 spf=neutral dkim=pass dkdomain=ekiri.ee);
dmarc=none header.from=ekiri.ee
From: ...
`

You can see the full output, including structured data for DKIM, SPF, DMARC, and ARC, from this example.

Note: The receivedChain property is an array of parsed representations of the Received: headers.

$3

#### DKIM Signing

Use the dkimSign function to sign an email message with DKIM.

##### Syntax

`javascript
const { dkimSign } = require('mailauth/lib/dkim/sign');

const signResult = await dkimSign(message, options);
// Returns: { signatures: String, errors: Array }
`

##### Parameters

- message: A String, Buffer, or Readable stream representing the email message.
- options:
- canonicalization (string): Canonicalization method. Defaults to 'relaxed/relaxed'.
- algorithm (string): Signing and hashing algorithm. Defaults to 'rsa-sha256'.
- signTime (Date): Signing time. Defaults to current time.
- expires (Date): Signature expiration time (x= tag). Optional.
- headerList (Array): List of header field names to sign. Optional; uses default set if not specified.
- signatureData (Array): Array of signature objects. Each object may contain:
- signingDomain (string): DKIM key domain name.
- selector (string): DKIM key selector.
- privateKey (string or Buffer): Private key for signing (RSA or Ed25519).
- algorithm (string, optional): Overrides parent algorithm.
- canonicalization (string, optional): Overrides parent canonicalization.
- maxBodyLength (number, optional): Maximum number of canonicalized body bytes to sign (l= tag). Not recommended for general use.

##### Example

`javascript
const { dkimSign } = require('mailauth/lib/dkim/sign');
const fs = require('fs');

const message = / Your email message here /;

const signResult = await dkimSign(message, {
canonicalization: 'relaxed/relaxed',
algorithm: 'rsa-sha256',
signTime: new Date(),
signatureData: [
{
signingDomain: 'tahvel.info',
selector: 'test.rsa',
privateKey: fs.readFileSync('./test/fixtures/private-rsa.pem'),
},
],
});

// Display signing errors if any
if (signResult.errors.length) {
console.error('Signing errors:', signResult.errors);
}

// Output signed message
process.stdout.write(signResult.signatures); // Includes terminating line break
process.stdout.write(message);
`

Sample Output:

`
DKIM-Signature: a=rsa-sha256; v=1; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=tahvel.info;
s=test.rsa; b=...
From: ...
`

#### DKIM Signing as a Stream

Use DkimSignStream to sign messages as part of a stream processing pipeline.

##### Example

`javascript
const { DkimSignStream } = require('mailauth/lib/dkim/sign');
const fs = require('fs');

const dkimSignStream = new DkimSignStream({
canonicalization: 'relaxed/relaxed',
algorithm: 'rsa-sha256',
signTime: new Date(),
signatureData: [
{
signingDomain: 'tahvel.info',
selector: 'test.rsa',
privateKey: fs.readFileSync('./test/fixtures/private-rsa.pem')
}
]
});

// Read from stdin, write signed message to stdout
process.stdin.pipe(dkimSignStream).pipe(process.stdout);
`

#### DKIM Verification

Use the dkimVerify function to verify DKIM signatures in an email message.

##### Syntax

`javascript
const { dkimVerify } = require('mailauth/lib/dkim/verify');

const result = await dkimVerify(message);
// Returns an object containing verification results
`

See DKIM Result Reference for details on the result object structure.

##### Example

`javascript
const { dkimVerify } = require('mailauth/lib/dkim/verify');

const message = / Your email message here /;

const result = await dkimVerify(message);

for (const { info } of result.results) {
console.log(info);
}
`

Sample Output:

`
dkim=neutral (invalid public key) header.i=@tahvel.info header.s=test.invalid header.b="b85yao+1"
dkim=pass header.i=@tahvel.info header.s=test.rsa header.b="BrEgDN4A"
dkim=policy policy.dkim-rules=weak-key header.i=@tahvel.info header.s=test.small header.b="d0jjgPun"
`

$3

#### SPF Verification

Use the spf function to verify the SPF record for an email sender.

##### Syntax

`javascript
const { spf } = require('mailauth/lib/spf');

const result = await spf(options);
// Returns an object containing SPF verification results
`

See SPF Result Reference for details on the result object structure.

##### Parameters

- options:
- sender (string): MAIL FROM address.
- ip (string): SMTP client IP.
- helo (string): HELO/EHLO hostname.
- mta (string): Hostname of the MTA performing the check.

##### Example

`javascript
const { spf } = require('mailauth/lib/spf');

const result = await spf({
sender: 'andris@wildduck.email',
ip: '217.146.76.20',
helo: 'foo',
mta: 'mx.myhost.com'
});

console.log(result.header);
`

Sample Output:

`
Received-SPF: pass (mx.myhost.com: domain of andris@wildduck.email
designates 217.146.76.20 as permitted sender) client-ip=217.146.76.20;
envelope-from="andris@wildduck.email";
`

$3

#### ARC Validation

ARC seals are validated automatically during the authentication step.

##### Example

`javascript
const { authenticate } = require('mailauth');

const message = / Your email message here /;

const { arc } = await authenticate(message, {
trustReceived: true,
});

console.log(arc);
`

See ARC Result Reference for details on the result object structure.

Sample Output:

`json
{
"status": {
"result": "pass",
"comment": "i=2 spf=neutral dkim=pass dkdomain=zonevs.eu dkim=pass dkdomain=srs3.zonevs.eu dmarc=fail fromdomain=zone.ee"
},
"i": 2
// Additional properties...
}
`

#### ARC Sealing

You can seal messages with ARC either during authentication or after modifications.

##### Sealing During Authentication

Provide the sealing key in the options to seal messages automatically during authentication.

`javascript
const { authenticate } = require('mailauth');
const fs = require('fs');

const message = / Your email message here /;

const { headers } = await authenticate(message, {
trustReceived: true,
seal: {
signingDomain: 'tahvel.info',
selector: 'test.rsa',
privateKey: fs.readFileSync('./test/fixtures/private-rsa.pem'),
},
});

// Output authenticated and sealed message
process.stdout.write(headers); // Includes terminating line break
process.stdout.write(message);
`

##### Sealing After Modifications

If you need to modify the message before sealing, first authenticate it, modify as needed, then seal using the authentication results.

`javascript
const { authenticate, sealMessage } = require('mailauth');
const fs = require('fs');

const message = / Your email message here /;

// Step 1: Authenticate the message
const { arc, headers } = await authenticate(message, {
ip: '217.146.67.33',
helo: 'uvn-67-33.tll01.zonevs.eu',
mta: 'mx.ethereal.email',
sender: 'andris@ekiri.ee',
});

// Step 2: Modify the message as needed
// ... your modifications ...

// Step 3: Seal the modified message
const sealHeaders = await sealMessage(message, {
signingDomain: 'tahvel.info',
selector: 'test.rsa',
privateKey: fs.readFileSync('./test/fixtures/private-rsa.pem'),
authResults: arc.authResults,
cv: arc.status.result,
});

// Output the sealed message
process.stdout.write(sealHeaders); // ARC headers
process.stdout.write(headers); // Authentication results
process.stdout.write(message);
`

$3

DMARC is verified during the authentication process. Although the dmarc handler is exported, it requires input from previous steps like SPF and DKIM.

See DMARC Result Reference for details on the result object structure.

#### DMARC Helpers

##### getDmarcRecord(domain [, resolver])

Fetches and parses the DMARC DNS record for a domain or subdomain. Returns false if no record exists.

###### Syntax

`javascript
const getDmarcRecord = require('mailauth/lib/dmarc/get-dmarc-record');

const dmarcRecord = await getDmarcRecord(domain [, resolver]);
// Returns an object with DMARC record details or false if not found
`

###### Parameters

- domain (string): The domain to check for a DMARC record.
- resolver (function, optional): Custom DNS resolver function. Defaults to dns.resolve.

###### Example

`javascript
const getDmarcRecord = require('mailauth/lib/dmarc/get-dmarc-record');

const dmarcRecord = await getDmarcRecord('ethereal.email');
console.log(dmarcRecord);
`

Sample Output:

`json
{
"v": "DMARC1",
"p": "none",
"pct": 100,
"rua": "mailto:re+joqy8fpatm3@dmarc.postmarkapp.com",
"sp": "none",
"aspf": "r",
"rr": "v=DMARC1; p=none; pct=100; rua=mailto:re+joqy8fpatm3@dmarc.postmarkapp.com; sp=none; aspf=r;",
"isOrgRecord": false
}
`

$3

Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) support is based on draft-blank-ietf-bimi-02. BIMI information is resolved during the authentication step, provided the message passes DMARC validation with a policy other than "none".

See BIMI Result Reference for details on the result object structure.

#### Example

`javascript
const { authenticate } = require('mailauth');

const message = / Your email message here /;

const { bimi } = await authenticate(message, {
ip: '217.146.67.33',
helo: 'uvn-67-33.tll01.zonevs.eu',
mta: 'mx.ethereal.email',
sender: 'andris@ekiri.ee',
bimiWithAlignedDkim: false, // If true, ignores SPF in DMARC and requires a valid DKIM signature
});

if (bimi?.location) {
console.log(BIMI location: ${bimi.location});
}
`

Note:

- The BIMI-Location header is ignored by mailauth.
- The BIMI-Selector header can be used for selector selection if available.

#### Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)

If an Authority Evidence Document is specified in the BIMI record, its location is available in bimi.authority. mailauth exposes the certificate type ("VMC" or "CMC") in bimi.authority.vmc.type.

Example Authority Evidence Documents:

- CNN's VMC
- Entrust's VMC

$3

mailauth provides functions to fetch and validate MTA-STS policies for a domain.

#### Policy Retrieval

Use the getPolicy function to fetch the MTA-STS policy for a domain.

##### Syntax

`javascript
const { getPolicy } = require('mailauth/lib/mta-sts');

const { policy, status } = await getPolicy(domain [, knownPolicy]);
// Returns an object with the policy and status
`

See MTA-STS Result Reference for details on the result object structure.

##### Parameters

- domain (string): The domain to retrieve the policy for.
- knownPolicy (object, optional): Previously cached policy for the domain.

##### Example

`javascript
const { getPolicy } = require('mailauth/lib/mta-sts');

const knownPolicy = / Retrieve from your cache if available /;
const { policy, status } = await getPolicy('gmail.com', knownPolicy);

if (policy.id !== knownPolicy?.id) {
// Update your cache with the new policy
}

if (policy.mode === 'enforce') {
// TLS must be used when sending to this domain
}
`

Possible Status Values:

- "not_found": No policy was found.
- "cached": Existing policy is still valid.
- "found": New or updated policy found.
- "renew": Existing policy is valid; renew cache.
- "errored": Policy discovery failed due to a temporary error.

#### MX Validation

Use the validateMx function to check if an MX hostname is valid according to the MTA-STS policy.

##### Syntax

`javascript
const { validateMx } = require('mailauth/lib/mta-sts');

const validation = validateMx(mx, policy);
// Returns an object indicating if the MX is valid
`

##### Parameters

- mx (string): The resolved MX hostname.
- policy (object): The MTA-STS policy object.

##### Example

`javascript
const { getPolicy, validateMx } = require('mailauth/lib/mta-sts');

const { policy } = await getPolicy('gmail.com');

const mx = 'alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com';
const policyMatch = validateMx(mx, policy);

if (policy.mx && !policyMatch.valid) {
// The MX host is not listed in the policy; do not connect
}
`

Testing

mailauth uses the following test suites:

$3

Based on the OpenSPF test suite, with some differences:

- Less strict whitespace checks.
- Some macro tests are skipped.
- Some tests are skipped where the invalid component is after a matching part.
- All other tests pass.

$3

Based on ValiMail's arc_test_suite:

- mailauth is less strict on header tags and casing.
- Signing test suite is used for input; mailauth validates signatures and checks for the same cv=` output.
- All tests pass, aside from minor differences.

License

© 2020-2026 Postal Systems OÜ

Licensed under the MIT License.