Port 117UUCP Path
The UUCP Path Service (port 117) facilitates path services for the Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP), enabling exchange of email routing and network addressing information among interconnected Unix systems. Historically vital for email and file transfers before the rise of TCP/IP and the Internet, this service plays a role in maintaining communication paths within UUCP networks..
- transport
- tcp
- in transit
- cleartext
- assignment
- official
- risk
- 4/10
- lookups
- 7,465
single transport
payload readable on path
registered with iana
caution
rank 682 of 993 · top 69%
Technical Details
what runs on :117The UUCP Path Service is part of the Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP) suite, which was widely used from the 1970s through the early 1990s for exchanging files, emails, and netnews between Unix systems. Port 117 is traditionally used to manage and communicate UUCP network path information that assists message routing paths across diverse and sometimes irregular network topologies.
UUCP facilitates communication in a store-and-forward approach, relying on scheduled or event-driven dial-up connections. The Path Service helps relay addressing details indicating the best paths available between systems, crucial when direct Internet connections were rare.
While primarily deprecated today, the architecture of UUCP, including its path management functions using port 117, offers insights into early distributed computing models and routing. It emphasizes simplicity, resilience, and asynchronous message delivery during an era of limited connectivity.
Security Information
exposure of :117risk score
4/ 10caution
worth attention. how exposed you are depends on configuration — don't leave it reachable from the internet without a reason.
email averages 3.9 across 42 ports — this one sits 0.1 above.
in transit
cleartext
credentials and payloads are readable by anyone on path
assignment
official
registered with iana for this service — scanners fingerprint it by number
reachable over
tcp
every listening transport is another surface to filter at the edge
security overview
Common Vulnerabilities:
- Lack of encryption: Communications over port 117 are typically unencrypted, exposing sensitive routing or system information.
- Misconfigurations: Legacy UUCP systems may be poorly maintained, leading to unauthorized access or unintended exposure.
- Weak authentication: Historic UUCP implementations sometimes used simple or hardcoded credentials.
Common Mitigations:
- Disable unused services: Since UUCP is largely obsolete, disabling or blocking port 117 can reduce attack surfaces.
- Network segmentation: Isolate legacy UUCP systems from critical or modern infrastructure.
- Access controls: Implement strict firewall and authentication policies if the service must remain accessible.
- Monitor legacy protocols: Continuously audit and monitor communications over non-secure legacy ports like 117 to detect anomalies.
Related Ports
the 8 most looked-up other ports in email — 42 ports carry that label.
| port | service | risk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :143 | IMAP | TCPUDP | caution | 20.7k | |
| :995 | POP3S | TCPtls | caution | 18.8k | |
| :109 | POP2 | TCP | caution | 17.9k | |
| :2096 | cPanel SSL Webmail | TCPtls | Web Services | safe | 17.4k |
| :110 | POP3 | TCP | caution | 15.5k | |
| :993 | IMAPS | TCPtls | caution | 14.5k | |
| :1352 | Lotus Notes RPC | TCP | caution | 12.3k | |
| :24 | Private Mail | TCPUDP | caution | 11.7k |
risk mix of the 8 listed
- safe13%
- caution88%
3 of 8 encrypted