- 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.
Port 8786: Message Client
Port 8786 is assigned by IANA to msgclnt (Message Client).
How msgclnt works
Other servicesThe client sends a request to port 8786 and the msgclnt 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
Is port 8786 dangerous?
We have no specific security note for port 8786. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for other services services:
IANA registry entries for port 8786
| Service | Port | Transport | Description | Reference | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| msgclnt | 8786 | TCP, UDP | Message Client | - | 2003-03 |
// source: IANA service name and port number registry
Which program uses port 8786, and is it reachable?
Linux
sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :8786' # process listening on 8786
sudo lsof -nP -i :8786macOS
sudo lsof -nP -i :8786
Windows (PowerShell)
Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 8786 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 8786 netstat -ano | findstr :8786
From another machine
nmap -p 8786 -sV <host> sudo nmap -sU -p 8786 <host> nc -zv <host> 8786
Block it in the firewall
sudo ufw deny 8786/tcp # Linux (ufw) New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 8786" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 8786 -Protocol TCP -Action Block # Windows
What is port 8786 used for?
Port 8786 is assigned by IANA to msgclnt (Message Client).
Is port 8786 TCP or UDP?
Port 8786 is registered for TCP and UDP.
Is it safe to open port 8786?
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 8786 is open?
On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :8786'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :8786", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :8786" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 8786 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.