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// Other services

Port 3255: Semaphore Connection Port

Port 3255 is assigned by IANA to semaphore (Semaphore Connection Port).

3255

How semaphore works

Other services
client:3255semaphoreresponse client:3255semaphoreresponse

The client sends a request to port 3255 and the semaphore service answers.

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
Other services
01 Security

Is port 3255 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 3255. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for other services services:

  • Close the port if nothing on the host needs it.
  • Identify the process that listens on it (commands below) before opening it in a firewall.
  • Expose a service only to the networks that use it.
02 Registry

IANA registry entries for port 3255

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
semaphore 3255 TCP, UDP Semaphore Connection Port - 2002-02

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 3255, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :3255'      # process listening on 3255
sudo lsof -nP -i :3255

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :3255

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 3255 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 3255
netstat -ano | findstr :3255

From another machine

nmap -p 3255 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 3255 <host>
nc -zv <host> 3255

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 3255/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 3255" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 3255 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 3255 used for?

Port 3255 is assigned by IANA to semaphore (Semaphore Connection Port).

Is port 3255 TCP or UDP?

Port 3255 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 3255?

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. Close the port if nothing on the host needs it.

How do I check if port 3255 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :3255'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :3255", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :3255" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 3255 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

05 Related
:4444 Metasploit default / krb524 tcp · udp · high risk :31337 Back Orifice / elite tcp · udp · high risk :1 TCP Port Service Multiplexer tcp · udp :5 Remote Job Entry tcp · udp :9 Discard tcp · udp · sctp · dccp :11 Active Users tcp · udp :17 Quote of the Day tcp · udp :18 Message Send Protocol (historic) tcp · udp

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