The Received header is appended by each mail server that handles the message. The bottom-most (first-added) Received line records the name and IP address observed when the message entered the SMTP chain, allowing analysts to trace the point of origin. From and Return-Path can be modified or rewritten, and Message-ID is only a unique identifier, so they do not reliably reveal the source IP.
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Why is the 'Received' field more reliable than the 'From' field in identifying the originating IP address?
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