# 23 - Pentesting Telnet

<details>

<summary><strong>Support HackTricks and get benefits!</strong></summary>

- Do you work in a **cybersecurity company**? Do you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks**? or do you want to have access to the **latest version of the PEASS or download HackTricks in PDF**? Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!

- Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)

- Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)

- **Join the** [**💬**](https://emojipedia.org/speech-balloon/) [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** me on **Twitter** [**🐦**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks/tree/7af18b62b3bdc423e11444677a6a73d4043511e9/\[https:/emojipedia.org/bird/README.md)[**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/carlospolopm)**.**

- **Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**hacktricks github repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks)**.**

</details>

## **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).

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. (From the [telnet RFC](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc854))\
**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'
  
```

<details>

<summary><strong>Support HackTricks and get benefits!</strong></summary>

- Do you work in a **cybersecurity company**? Do you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks**? or do you want to have access to the **latest version of the PEASS or download HackTricks in PDF**? Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!

- Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)

- Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)

- **Join the** [**💬**](https://emojipedia.org/speech-balloon/) [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** me on **Twitter** [**🐦**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks/tree/7af18b62b3bdc423e11444677a6a73d4043511e9/\[https:/emojipedia.org/bird/README.md)[**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/carlospolopm)**.**

- **Share your hacking tricks by submitting PRs to the** [**hacktricks github repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks)**.**

</details>