GNU bug report logs - #13551
24.3.50; epa-mail-encrypt chooses wrong key

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From: Lars Ingebrigtsen <larsi <at> gnus.org>
To: Richard Stallman <rms <at> gnu.org>
Cc: 13551 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: bug#13551: acknowledged by developer (control message for bug #13551)
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2019 21:47:13 +0200

Richard Stallman <rms <at> gnu.org> writes:

>   > I'm not sure I understand.  I think it does do something completely
>   > predictable -- choose the key ring entry that matches what's in your
>   > "From" header.
>
> We seem to be failing to commnuicate.  My From header always says
> "rms <at> gnu.org", but we're talking about the address I am sending to --
> in the To field.  Is that what you mean?

Yes; sorry.

> When I send mail to just 'arthur', that is equivalent by default to
> 'arthur <at> gnu.org'.  I often omit '@gnu.org' knowing this.
>
> Encryption should do the same thing: treat 'arthur' as short for
> 'arthur <at> gnu.org'.  That way it will always encrypt for the person that
> the mail is going to.

Emacs cannot possibly know that when you send to "arthur", that that
email will eventually end up going to "arthur <at> gnu.org".  It could guess,
but guessing in an security context is a no go.

So if you want to send somebody secure messages, you have to tell Emacs
what address the mail is going to: You can't just say "arthur".

-- 
(domestic pets only, the antidote for overdose, milk.)
   bloggy blog: http://lars.ingebrigtsen.no

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