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// Directory & authentication

Port 6268: Grid Authentication

Port 6268 is assigned by IANA to grid (Grid Authentication).

6268

How grid works

Directory & authentication
userdirectorygridresponse userdirectorygridresponse

The client proves who it is on port 6268 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 6268 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 6268. 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 6268

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
grid 6268 TCP, UDP Grid Authentication - 2006-06

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 6268, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :6268'      # process listening on 6268
sudo lsof -nP -i :6268

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :6268

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 6268 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 6268
netstat -ano | findstr :6268

From another machine

nmap -p 6268 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 6268 <host>
nc -zv <host> 6268

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 6268/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 6268" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 6268 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 6268 used for?

Port 6268 is assigned by IANA to grid (Grid Authentication).

Is port 6268 TCP or UDP?

Port 6268 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 6268?

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 6268 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :6268'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :6268", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :6268" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 6268 <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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