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// Other services

Port 438: dsfgw

Port 438 is assigned by IANA to dsfgw (dsfgw).

438

How dsfgw works

Other services
client:438dsfgwresponse client:438dsfgwresponse

The client sends a request to port 438 and the dsfgw 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
Well-known (0-1023)
Category
Other services
01 Security

Is port 438 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 438. 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 438

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
dsfgw 438 TCP, UDP dsfgw - -

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 438, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :438'      # process listening on 438
sudo lsof -nP -i :438

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :438

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 438 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 438
netstat -ano | findstr :438

From another machine

nmap -p 438 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 438 <host>
nc -zv <host> 438

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 438/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 438" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 438 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 438 used for?

Port 438 is assigned by IANA to dsfgw (dsfgw).

Is port 438 TCP or UDP?

Port 438 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 438?

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 438 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :438'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :438", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :438" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 438 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

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