# 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 23
```
All the interesting enumeration can be performed by **nmap**:
```bash
nmap -n -sV -Pn --script "*telnet* and safe" -p 23
```
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'
```
**Instantly available setup for vulnerability assessment & penetration testing**. Run a full pentest from anywhere with 20+ tools & features that go from recon to reporting. We don't replace pentesters - we develop custom tools, detection & exploitation modules to give them back some time to dig deeper, pop shells, and have fun.
{% embed url="https://pentest-tools.com/" %}
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Support HackTricks
* Check the [**subscription plans**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
* **Join the** 💬 [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** us on **Twitter** 🐦 [**@hacktricks\_live**](https://twitter.com/hacktricks\_live)**.**
* **Share hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**HackTricks**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks) and [**HackTricks Cloud**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks-cloud) github repos.
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