hacktricks/network-services-pentesting/pentesting-telnet.md

# 23 - Pentesting Telnet

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## **Basic Information**

Telnet is a network protocol that gives users a UNsecure way to access a computer over a network.

**Default port:** 23

```
23/tcp open  telnet
```

## **Enumeration**

### **Banner Grabbing**

```bash
nc -vn <IP> 23
```

All the interesting enumeration can be performed by **nmap**:

```bash
nmap -n -sV -Pn --script "*telnet* and safe" -p 23 <IP>
```

The script `telnet-ntlm-info.nse` will obtain NTLM info (Windows versions).

From the [telnet RFC](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc854): In the TELNET Protocol are various "**options**" that will be sanctioned and may be used with the "**DO, DON'T, WILL, WON'T**" structure to allow a user and server to agree to use a more elaborate (or perhaps just different) set of conventions for their TELNET connection. Such options could include changing the character set, the echo mode, etc.

**I know it is possible to enumerate this options but I don't know how, so let me know if know how.**

### [Brute force](../generic-methodologies-and-resources/brute-force.md#telnet)

## Config file

```bash
/etc/inetd.conf
/etc/xinetd.d/telnet
/etc/xinetd.d/stelnet
```

## HackTricks Automatic Commands

```
Protocol_Name: Telnet    #Protocol Abbreviation if there is one.
Port_Number:  23     #Comma separated if there is more than one.
Protocol_Description: Telnet          #Protocol Abbreviation Spelled out

Entry_1:
  Name: Notes
  Description: Notes for t=Telnet
  Note: |
    wireshark to hear creds being passed
    tcp.port == 23 and ip.addr != myip

    https://book.hacktricks.xyz/pentesting/pentesting-telnet

Entry_2:
  Name: Banner Grab
  Description: Grab Telnet Banner
  Command: nc -vn {IP} 23

Entry_3:
  Name: Nmap with scripts
  Description: Run nmap scripts for telnet
  Command: nmap -n -sV -Pn --script "*telnet*" -p 23 {IP}
  
Entry_4:
  Name: consoleless mfs enumeration
  Description: Telnet enumeration without the need to run msfconsole
  Note: sourced from https://github.com/carlospolop/legion
  Command: msfconsole -q -x 'use auxiliary/scanner/telnet/telnet_version; set RHOSTS {IP}; set RPORT 23; run; exit' && msfconsole -q -x 'use auxiliary/scanner/telnet/brocade_enable_login; set RHOSTS {IP}; set RPORT 23; run; exit' && msfconsole -q -x 'use auxiliary/scanner/telnet/telnet_encrypt_overflow; set RHOSTS {IP}; set RPORT 23; run; exit' && msfconsole -q -x 'use auxiliary/scanner/telnet/telnet_ruggedcom; set RHOSTS {IP}; set RPORT 23; run; exit'
  
```

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