----- Original Message -----
From: Andreas Saurwein
To: spf-discuss(_at_)v2(_dot_)listbox(_dot_)com
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 3:42 AM
Subject: Re: [spf-discuss] Validity of macros?
> You are right, the spec doesn't explicitly say this, but then, it
> doesn't give an exception either. I don't think you can spell out every
> case. (e.g. "Yes, you need to support the "i" macro even on
> odd-numbered Tuesdays.") Do you think this case really need to be
> clarified?
Yes, I think so. Since the spec says that the SPF check can be applied
to HELO or MFROM checks, I think it should be at least mentioned that
for a MFROM check the HELO data must be present.
I do not think extra specification is necessary at all. Wayne already
pointed to Section 2.2, "The MAIL FROM Identity".
Moreover, and perhaps even more pressing here, RFC 2821. Section 4.1.1.1,
"Extended HELLO (EHLO) or HELLO (HELO)", explicitely states:
"In any event, a client MUST issue HELO or EHLO before starting a mail
transaction."
And since HELO/EHLO preceeds MAIL FROM in the SMTP dialogue, I believe the
whole question about the existence of a HELO identity at MAIL FROM is
therefore moot, as you cannot arrive at MAIL FROM without having a FQDN
for HELO (or an address literal). Hence, I do not feel inclined to have
SPF specify a behavior that is already covered extensively by another
spec.
When doing SPF checks at HELO time, you always, obviously, have a HELO
identity. The SPF query can then be done on <POSTMASTER @ HELO>. And in
the case where the HELO identity is an address literal, the result string
must necessarily be "none". Which is neither an SPF bug, nor a
shortcoming, btw: if a mail client does not provide any usable identity to
check an SPF record against, then that is just that.
- Mark
System Administrator Asarian-host.net
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