Email header visualizer for forensics
Why Choose This Project?
Email headers contain vital forensic clues — sender IP, mail server hops, authentication results (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and timestamps. However, raw headers are complex and difficult for beginners or even investigators to analyze manually. This project creates an Email Header Visualizer that parses and presents header data in a graphical and interactive way to help cybersecurity teams, investigators, and students trace email origins and detect spoofing/phishing attempts.
What You Get in This Project
A tool (web-based or desktop) where users paste or upload raw email headers. The system parses them and generates a visual timeline, server path map, and authentication report for easy forensic analysis.
Technology Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Frontend | HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, React (for UI dashboard, charts) |
| Backend | Node.js (Express) / Python Flask / Java Spring Boot |
| Database | SQLite / MongoDB (for logs, saved cases, forensic history) |
| Visualization | D3.js / Chart.js / Cytoscape.js (for server hop graph) |
| Security | Email header parsing libraries (Python email, Node mailparser, JavaMail API) |
| Optional | Integration with WHOIS & GeoIP APIs (for IP origin mapping) |
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Header Parsing | Extracts fields like Received, From, Return-Path, Message-ID |
| Hop Visualization | Shows the path of email across servers (IP, hostname, country) |
| Authentication Analysis | Highlights SPF, DKIM, DMARC pass/fail results |
| Timeline View | Visualizes delays between each server hop |
| GeoIP Mapping | Maps server IPs on a world map for geographic tracing |
| Suspicious Pattern Detection | Flags anomalies like forged Received headers or mismatched domains |
| Report Generation | Generates a forensic PDF/CSV report for investigation |
| Case Management | Save, tag, and revisit past header analysis cases |
| Export Options | Download parsed data and graphs for legal evidence |
| User Roles | Investigator/Admin access with audit logs |
How Email Header Visualizer Works
Input
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Investigator pastes raw email headers into a textbox or uploads
.emlfile.
Parsing
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The system extracts all key fields (Received chain, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, Message-ID, IPs).
Analysis
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Compares timestamps for anomalies (delays or forged hops).
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Checks DNS records for SPF/DKIM/DMARC validation.
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Detects possible spoofing attempts.
Visualization
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Graph view → server hops shown as nodes/edges with IPs.
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Timeline view → chronological delay between hops.
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Geo map → IP addresses mapped to locations.
Report
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Investigator can generate a forensic report containing parsed header data, suspicious findings, and visualizations.
Security Features
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Sanitized input handling (to prevent injection attacks)
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DNS lookups for SPF/DKIM/DMARC validation
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WHOIS and GeoIP integration for IP tracing
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Role-based access for investigators/admins
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Immutable forensic logs (chain of custody)
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Exportable signed reports for legal use