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// Directory & authentication

Port 2478: SecurSight Authentication Server (SSL)

Port 2478 is assigned by IANA to ssm-cssps (SecurSight Authentication Server (SSL)).

2478

How ssm-cssps works

Directory & authentication
userdirectoryssm-csspsresponse userdirectoryssm-csspsresponse

The client proves who it is on port 2478 and gets an answer (or a ticket) it can use with other services.

Transport
TCP · UDP
Exposure risk
not rated depends on the program listening
Encryption
Unknownnot stated by the registry
IANA status
Assigned1 registered service
Range
Registered (1024-49151)
Category
Directory & authentication
01 Security

Is port 2478 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 2478. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for directory & authentication services:

  • Keep directory and authentication services on internal networks.
  • Require signing or TLS and disable anonymous queries.
  • Monitor authentication failures for spraying and brute force.
02 Registry

IANA registry entries for port 2478

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
ssm-cssps 2478 TCP, UDP SecurSight Authentication Server (SSL) - -

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 2478, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :2478'      # process listening on 2478
sudo lsof -nP -i :2478

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :2478

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 2478 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 2478
netstat -ano | findstr :2478

From another machine

nmap -p 2478 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 2478 <host>
nc -zv <host> 2478

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 2478/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 2478" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 2478 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 2478 used for?

Port 2478 is assigned by IANA to ssm-cssps (SecurSight Authentication Server (SSL)).

Is port 2478 TCP or UDP?

Port 2478 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 2478?

It depends on the program that listens on it. Open it only for a service you know and only to the networks that need it. Keep directory and authentication services on internal networks.

How do I check if port 2478 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :2478'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :2478", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :2478" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 2478 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

05 Related
:389 LDAP tcp · udp · high risk :636 LDAPS tcp · udp · moderate risk :88 Kerberos tcp · udp · high risk :3268 Global Catalog (LDAP) tcp · udp · high risk :1812 RADIUS udp · tcp · moderate risk :31 MSG Authentication tcp · udp :49 Login Host Protocol (TACACS) tcp · udp :56 XNS Authentication tcp · udp

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