CyberHunter
Local dataset, no network
// Databases & caches

Port 65: TACACS-Database Service

Port 65 is assigned by IANA to tacacs-ds (TACACS-Database Service).

65

How tacacs-ds works

Databases & caches
app:65tacacs-ds app:65tacacs-ds

The application sends a SQL query to the tacacs-ds server on port 65, which returns rows from its tables.

Transport
TCP · UDP
Exposure risk
not rated depends on the program listening
Encryption
Unknownnot stated by the registry
IANA status
Assigned1 registered service
Range
Well-known (0-1023)
01 Security

Is port 65 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 65. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for databases & caches services:

  • Bind the service to localhost or a private network, never to a public address.
  • Enable authentication, use per-application accounts and require TLS.
  • Watch for exposed Docker ports: publish them on 127.0.0.1 only.
02 Registry

IANA registry entries for port 65

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
tacacs-ds 65 TCP, UDP TACACS-Database Service - -

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 65, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :65'      # process listening on 65
sudo lsof -nP -i :65

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :65

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 65 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 65
netstat -ano | findstr :65

From another machine

nmap -p 65 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 65 <host>
nc -zv <host> 65

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 65/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 65" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 65 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 65 used for?

Port 65 is assigned by IANA to tacacs-ds (TACACS-Database Service).

Is port 65 TCP or UDP?

Port 65 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 65?

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. Bind the service to localhost or a private network, never to a public address.

How do I check if port 65 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :65'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :65", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :65" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 65 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

05 Related

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