tcsender email bombing

John-David Childs jdc at nterprise.net
Wed Nov 5 04:25:07 UTC 1997


On Tuesday November  4, 1997, Dennis Simpson <dennis at bconnex.net>
 had this to say about "tcsender email bombing":

> Having seen fairly heavy loading on our mail server today, I decided
> to see what might be going on.
> 
> Is anyone else seeing concerted bombing from tcsender@<a couple of addresses>
> where the relayhost covers many hosts? I have attached a tiny bit of
> today's mail syslog contents below to illustrate.
> 

Yes...2741 entries in my maillog since 11:00pm yesterday...but our
mailserver barely hiccuped and I wouldn't have noticed for a day or two
unless I came across your post.  What prompted you to go looking?

> Approximately one third of our email traffic today has come from this.
> I am going to be blocking a number of the ip's at our router, due to
> the heavy load this is causing us. Is anyone else having to handle
> this nonsense (tcsender specifically) or should I be looking for
> someone attacking us?
> 

You may want to change your 451 errors into 571 errors at least for this
particular domain.  From RFC1893:

       X.7.1   Delivery not authorized, message refused

          The sender is not authorized to send to the destination.
          This can be the result of per-host or per-recipient
          filtering.  This memo does not discuss the merits of any
          such filtering, but provides a mechanism to report such.
          This is useful only as a permanent error.



> Thx,
> dennis
> 
> Nov  4 04:05:48 bconnex.net sendmail[4697]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:05:48 bconnex.net sendmail[4697]: EAA04697: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, 
> proto=ESMTP, relay=root at astra.genghis.com [205.139.15.34]
> Nov  4 04:05:54 bconnex.net sendmail[4698]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:05:54 bconnex.net sendmail[4698]: EAA04698: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=root at busche.com [206.83.162.16]
> Nov  4 04:05:57 bconnex.net sendmail[4703]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:05:57 bconnex.net sendmail[4703]: EAA04703: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=root at www.fredrick.com [209.113.166.92]
> Nov  4 04:06:04 bconnex.net sendmail[4705]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain 
> must resolve
> Nov  4 04:06:04 bconnex.net sendmail[4705]: EAA04705: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=bay.wiznet.ca [207.139.40.1]
> Nov  4 04:06:08 bconnex.net sendmail[4712]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:06:08 bconnex.net sendmail[4712]: EAA04712: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, 
> proto=ESMTP, relay=root@[204.254.231.160]
> Nov  4 04:06:22 bconnex.net sendmail[4723]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:06:22 bconnex.net sendmail[4723]: EAA04723: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, 
> proto=ESMTP, relay=root at linked.net [209.24.1.201]
> Nov  4 04:06:27 bconnex.net sendmail[4731]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain 
> must resolve
> Nov  4 04:06:27 bconnex.net sendmail[4731]: EAA04731: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=emke.com [204.152.178.10]
> Nov  4 04:06:43 bconnex.net sendmail[4758]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:06:43 bconnex.net sendmail[4758]: EAA04758: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, 
> proto=ESMTP, relay=adzone.com [205.147.5.1]
> Nov  4 04:06:50 bconnex.net sendmail[4776]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:06:50 bconnex.net sendmail[4776]: EAA04776: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, 
> proto=ESMTP, relay=[209.63.20.193]
> Nov  4 04:07:12 bconnex.net sendmail[4800]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain 
> must resolve
> Nov  4 04:07:12 bconnex.net sendmail[4800]: EAA04800: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=mercury.webserve.net [206.96.226.5]
> Nov  4 04:07:13 bconnex.net sendmail[4802]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain 
> must resolve
> Nov  4 04:07:13 bconnex.net sendmail[4802]: EAA04802: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>, size=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at server3.homecom.com [204.198.149.6]
> Nov  4 04:07:16 bconnex.net sendmail[4804]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>) rejection: 451 <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... 
> Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:07:16 bconnex.net sendmail[4804]: EAA04804: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=metallus.ias.net [206.214.209.8]
> Nov  4 04:07:23 bconnex.net sendmail[4808]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:07:23 bconnex.net sendmail[4808]: EAA04808: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=france-travel.com [192.41.4.181]
> Nov  4 04:08:04 bconnex.net sendmail[4852]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:08:04 bconnex.net sendmail[4852]: EAA04852: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=fox.plaza.nl [195.108.180.1]
> Nov  4 04:08:05 bconnex.net sendmail[4858]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:08:05 bconnex.net sendmail[4858]: EAA04858: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=dnai.com [140.174.162.28]
> Nov  4 04:08:17 bconnex.net sendmail[4865]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:08:17 bconnex.net sendmail[4865]: EAA04865: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=virtual.icanect.net [208.202.14.126]
> Nov  4 04:08:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4881]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:08:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4881]: EAA04881: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=100t.lauderdale.net [207.141.140.10]
> Nov  4 04:09:09 bconnex.net sendmail[4895]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:09 bconnex.net sendmail[4895]: EAA04895: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=fred.ic2do.com [38.218.186.11]
> Nov  4 04:09:14 bconnex.net sendmail[4902]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:14 bconnex.net sendmail[4902]: EAA04902: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=ch.promega.com [198.150.28.10]
> Nov  4 04:09:15 bconnex.net sendmail[4905]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:15 bconnex.net sendmail[4905]: EAA04905: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at ns.falconsoft.com [206.112.39.112]
> Nov  4 04:09:28 bconnex.net sendmail[4916]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:28 bconnex.net sendmail[4916]: EAA04916: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at web12.ntx.net [209.1.144.158]
> Nov  4 04:09:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4928]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4928]: EAA04928: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at realbeer.com [204.152.97.15]
> Nov  4 04:09:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4929]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4929]: EAA04929: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=gost3.indirect.com [165.247.198.3]
> Nov  4 04:09:46 bconnex.net sendmail[4930]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:46 bconnex.net sendmail[4930]: EAA04930: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=[205.217.137.150]
> Nov  4 04:09:54 bconnex.net sendmail[4936]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:09:54 bconnex.net sendmail[4936]: EAA04936: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at jab1.roc.servtech.com [204.181.4.152]
> Nov  4 04:10:31 bconnex.net sendmail[4956]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:10:31 bconnex.net sendmail[4956]: EAA04956: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=wcc.wcc.net [208.6.232.10]
> Nov  4 04:10:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4972]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:10:45 bconnex.net sendmail[4972]: EAA04972: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at vp2.netgate.net [204.145.147.60]
> Nov  4 04:10:48 bconnex.net sendmail[4974]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:10:48 bconnex.net sendmail[4974]: EAA04974: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root at kitchen.virtual-cafe.com 3]
> Nov  4 04:10:58 bconnex.net sendmail[4980]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:10:58 bconnex.net sendmail[4980]: EAA04980: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=[151.196.85.2]
> Nov  4 04:11:04 bconnex.net sendmail[4985]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:11:04 bconnex.net sendmail[4985]: EAA04985: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=www.fixation.com [206.144.185.101]
> Nov  4 04:11:06 bconnex.net sendmail[4991]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:11:06 bconnex.net sendmail[4991]: EAA04991: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=ns2.kalamazoo.net [206.31.33.2]
> Nov  4 04:11:26 bconnex.net sendmail[5016]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:11:26 bconnex.net sendmail[5016]: EAA05016: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=fox.plaza.nl [195.108.180.1]
> Nov  4 04:12:07 bconnex.net sendmail[5042]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:12:07 bconnex.net sendmail[5042]: EAA05042: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=[151.196.88.4]
> Nov  4 04:12:08 bconnex.net sendmail[5043]: Ruleset check_mail ) rejection: 451 
> <tcsender at get-more-hits.com>... Domain must resolve
> Nov  4 04:12:08 bconnex.net sendmail[5043]: EAA05043: 
> from=<tcsender at get-more-hits.com>, e=0, class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=SMTP, 
> relay=yakko.x-statik.com [198.68.248.2]
> Nov  4 04:12:13 bconnex.net sendmail[5046]: Ruleset check_mail 
> (<tcsender at need-hits.com>) jection: 451 <tcsender at need-hits.com>... Domain must 
> resolve
> Nov  4 04:12:13 bconnex.net sendmail[5046]: EAA05046: 
> from=<tcsender at need-hits.com>,  class=0, pri=0, nrcpts=0, proto=ESMTP, 
> relay=root@[140.174.206.23]

-- 
John-David Childs (JC612)       Enterprise Internet Solutions
System Administrator            @denver.net/Internet-Coach/@ronan.net
  & Network Engineer            1031 S. Parker Rd. #I-8 Denver, CO 80231
As of this^H^H^H^H next week, passwords will be entered in Morse code.



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