qmail and rcpthosts file

Zingaro2002 · 07-07-2003, 10:45 AM

Hi everybody.
What does it happen if I delete rcpthosts (and rcpthosts.lock) file?
Does my mail server become an Open Relay ?

Thanks in advance.

mcleodnine · 07-08-2003, 12:16 AM

Judging by this little snippet from lifewithqmail.org's handy qmail process manager script...

Code:

if [ ! -f /var/qmail/control/rcpthosts ]; then
    echo "No /var/qmail/control/rcpthosts!"
    echo "Refusing to start SMTP listener because it'll create an open relay"
    exit 1
fi

... it would appear so.

Zingaro2002 · 07-08-2003, 02:46 AM

Thanks mcleodnine!
But... it's not exactly true!
I removed rcpthosts and my mail server works perfectly.
I suppose that without that file my mail server is just an open relay.

I'll try to use some SMTP AUTH authentication to avoid this problem.
Is there anyone who can give me some suggestion on how to do it?

Thanks anyway,

mcleodnine · 07-08-2003, 03:01 AM

Looking at your original question... yes it is exactly true. You will have a mail server that will relay mail for world + dog.

It's only that script (qmailctl) that prevents qmail-smtpd from starting, not anything inherent in qmail itself. It serves only as a check to see that you don't operate a mail server as an open relay.

If you want to rely on SMTP AUTH then you should have a look and do some googling. I found this gem on the first hit.

Zingaro2002 · 07-08-2003, 03:36 AM

Thanks mcleodnine!
You have been really kind and clear.