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mail143/tcp

IMAP / POP3

IMAPPOP3Email Retrieval

IMAP and POP3 are email retrieval protocols. Clear-text authentication, weak TLS, and credential stuffing attacks can compromise mailboxes.

Ports

PortProtocolDescription
143tcpIMAP
993tcpIMAPS
110tcpPOP3
995tcpPOP3S

Fingerprints

Banner / ProbeExpected Response
nmap -sV -p <port> <target>Service banner and version info
nc -nv <target> <port>Raw banner grab

Key Files

PathDescription
/etc/passwdList of system users
/etc/shadowPassword hashes for local users
/etc/ssh/sshd_configSSH server configuration
~/.ssh/id_rsaSSH private key

Default Credentials

UsernamePasswordContext
adminadminGeneric admin account
rootrootGeneric root account

Known CVEs

IdentifierTypeDescription
InfoCheck NVD database for latest CVEs

Exploitation Primitives

TechniqueTool / CommandResult
IMAP Logincurl -k "imaps://<target>/" --user user:passRead mailboxes

Notes

Always start with full port scan: `nmap -sV -sC -p- <target>`.

Check for default credentials before brute-forcing.

Use service-specific NSE scripts: `nmap --script <service>-* -p <port> <target>`.

Remember to check both IPv4 and IPv6 if applicable.

Seen on

ShodanCensysFOFAZoomEye

References