Summary
Even when a DMARC policy is set to 'p=none', RUF (forensic) reports can still be generated if authentication checks fail. The 'p=none' policy only dictates how receiving mail servers handle messages, not whether they generate reports. These failures can arise from various factors, including: the location of the DMARC record relative to subdomains, false positives from ISPs, misaligned 'MAIL FROM' addresses in SPF records, mismatches between the 'From:' header domain and DKIM/SPF domains, potential spoofing attempts, and configuration issues related to SPF and DKIM. Analyzing RUF reports and checking authentication headers are vital for identifying the root cause. It is important to consider the influence of 'fo' tag and subdomain alignment.
Key findings
- RUF Reports and 'p=none': RUF reports are generated based on authentication failures, independent of the DMARC policy.
- Multiple Failure Causes: Failures can stem from DMARC record placement, false positives, SPF/DKIM misalignment, header mismatches, and subdomain issues.
- Importance of RUF Analysis: Analyzing RUF reports is crucial to pinpoint the specific reasons for authentication failures.
Key considerations
- Check DMARC Placement: Verify the DMARC record's location, considering subdomains and organizational domain.
- Inspect Authentication Headers: Thoroughly examine Authentication-Results headers for SPF/DKIM passing and alignment.
- Investigate SPF/DKIM: Scrutinize SPF and DKIM configurations for misalignments or misconfigurations.
- Address 'From:' Header Issues: Ensure 'From:' header domain matches DKIM/SPF domains, accounting for alignment mode.
- Consider 'fo' Tag: Take the 'fo' tag into account, as it determines when forensic reports are triggered.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
Even with a DMARC policy set to 'p=none,' RUF (forensic) reports can still be generated due to authentication failures. These failures can stem from various sources, including false positives from ISPs, misaligned 'MAIL FROM' addresses in SPF records, mismatches between the 'From:' header domain and DKIM/SPF domains, misconfigured SPF or DKIM records, and issues related to subdomain alignment with the organizational domain DMARC record. Analyzing RUF reports and checking authentication headers is essential to pinpoint the root cause.
Key opinions
- RUF Reports and p=none: RUF reports are generated based on authentication failures, irrespective of the DMARC policy (p=none, quarantine, reject).
- False Positives: Some ISPs may generate false positive failure reports, potentially ignoring the 'fo' tag.
- SPF Alignment: A failing SPF record, even with passing DKIM, can trigger a DMARC failure if the 'MAIL FROM' address doesn't align with the SPF record's domain.
- Header Mismatches: The 'From:' header domain not matching the DKIM or SPF domains, especially with strict alignment, can cause DMARC failures.
- Subdomain Alignment: Subdomain authentication passing might not align with the organizational domain's DMARC record, particularly with `FO=1`, leading to reports.
Key considerations
- Check Authentication Headers: Carefully examine Authentication-Results headers to verify SPF and DKIM passing and alignment.
- Review RUF Reports: Analyze RUF reports to identify the specific reasons for authentication failures, including source IP addresses and authentication results.
- Inspect 'fo' Tag: Check the 'fo' tag value in the DMARC record to understand when forensic reports are triggered.
- Verify Domain Alignment: Ensure the 'From:' domain aligns with the DKIM and SPF domains, considering the alignment mode (strict or relaxed) in the DMARC record.
- Monitor for Spoofing: Investigate source IP addresses in RUF reports to identify potential unauthorized sending sources and spoofing attempts.
Marketer view
Email marketer from MXToolbox mentions that RUF reports indicate a forensic failure, independent of the DMARC policy. The reports are triggered when a message fails SPF and/or DKIM authentication. The 'p=none' setting only affects how the receiving mail server handles the message (acceptance), not whether a failure report is generated.
10 Mar 2025 - MXToolbox
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailSecurityBlog explains that the RUF reports provide insight to the specific reasons for authentication failures. The RUF reports can expose misconfigurations in SPF or DKIM, or highlight potential spoofing attempts. Analyze the source IP addresses, the 'From:' header, and the authentication results to understand the root cause.
22 Jul 2022 - EmailSecurityBlog
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Even with a DMARC policy set to 'p=none', RUF reports can be generated if authentication checks fail. One potential cause is related to the location of the DMARC record relative to subdomains and organizational domains. Additionally, RUF reports should be examined for insights into authentication failures, which could include misconfigured SPF or DKIM records or potential spoofing attempts. The 'p=none' policy is primarily for monitoring and does not prevent report generation on authentication failure.
Key opinions
- RUF reports despite p=none: RUF reports are generated even when the DMARC policy is set to 'p=none' if authentication checks fail.
- DMARC Record Location: The location of the DMARC record in relation to subdomains and organizational domains can be a factor.
- Authentication Failure Causes: Authentication failures triggering RUF reports could stem from misconfigured SPF or DKIM records or potential spoofing attempts.
Key considerations
- Examine RUF Reports: Carefully examine the RUF reports to understand the specific reasons for authentication failures.
- Check DMARC Record Location: Verify the DMARC record is correctly placed with respect to subdomains and the organizational domain.
- Review SPF/DKIM Configuration: Review the configuration of SPF and DKIM records to ensure they are properly set up and aligned.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that even with a DMARC policy of 'p=none', RUF reports are still generated if authentication checks fail. The purpose of 'p=none' is to monitor and gather data without actively rejecting or quarantining messages. It suggests examining the RUF reports to identify the specific reasons for the authentication failures, such as misconfigured SPF or DKIM records or potential spoofing attempts.
11 Dec 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests the location of the DMARC record in relation to subdomain vs. the organizational domain is the first place to check when receiving RUF alerts from Yahoo.
19 Apr 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Despite a DMARC policy of 'p=none', RUF (forensic) reports can still be generated. This is because RUF report generation is independent of the DMARC policy. These reports are intended for detailed analysis of individual message authentication failures and provide message-level information to domain owners, helping them to identify and address underlying issues.
Key findings
- RUF Reports and p=none: RUF reports are triggered by authentication failures, irrespective of the DMARC policy (p=none, quarantine, reject).
- Policy Independence: RUF report generation is independent of the DMARC policy enacted.
- Detailed Analysis: RUF reports are designed for detailed analysis of individual message authentication failures, offering message-level information.
Key considerations
- Analyze RUF Reports: Domain owners should analyze RUF reports to understand the specific reasons for authentication failures.
- Address Underlying Issues: Use the information in the RUF reports to identify and address the underlying issues causing authentication failures.
- Review 'ruf' Tag: Ensure the 'ruf' tag in the DMARC record is correctly configured to receive RUF reports.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC 7489 explains that RUF reports (forensic reports) are intended for detailed analysis of individual message authentication failures. These are different from aggregate reports and provide message-level information, and generation is not directly tied to the DMARC policy enacted (p=none, quarantine, reject).
29 Nov 2023 - RFC Editor
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help shares that RUF reports are triggered independently of the DMARC policy. Receiving servers may send RUF reports to the address specified in the DMARC record's 'ruf' tag to provide detailed information about authentication failures, helping domain owners identify and address issues.
22 Sep 2023 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Are DMARC RUA and RUF tags mandatory for compliance and what are their benefits?
Can DMARC reports be sent without RUA or RUF addresses?
How can DMARC reports be enriched with user-level data for better domain enforcement?
How do DMARC policies and RUA/RUF settings inherit or override each other between a domain and its subdomains?
How should DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records be configured for domains that do not send email?
What are the requirements for RUA and RUF in DMARC policies?
