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Port 152Background File Transfer Program

The Background File Transfer Program (BFTP) is a command-line utility designed for secure and efficient transfer of files between a local system and remote hosts. Commonly integrated with Microsoft Remote Desktop services, it streamlines background data synchronization and remote file management using encrypted channels. BFTP’s integration with Secure Shell (SSH) offers a secure environment ideal for enterprise deployments requiring automated and unattended background file transfers without manual intervention..

inFile TransferRemote AccessSystem
transport
tcp · udp

2 transports registered

in transit
cleartext

payload readable on path

assignment
official

registered with iana

risk
3/10

caution

lookups
7,028

rank 730 of 993 · top 73%

Technical Details

what runs on :152

The Background File Transfer Program (BFTP) is a utility facilitating file exchanges between client and server systems, usually operating in the background to optimize user experience and system workload. It enables administrators and applications to transfer files without interrupting foreground or user-driven activities. This approach allows for automation of uploads, downloads, backups, or synchronization tasks vital in enterprise environments.

Primarily, BFTP leverages the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol, which provides a secure communication channel by encrypting transmitted data. This ensures that credentials, commands, and files exchanged are protected from interception. By employing SSH tunneling, BFTP minimizes security risks while maintaining compatibility with existing SSH infrastructure.

BFTP commonly appears within Microsoft’s suite of remote access tools, particularly as part of Remote Desktop Connection software packages. Here, it plays a crucial role in securely transferring configuration files, user data, or software updates necessary for maintaining remote systems effectively. Its support for both TCP and UDP extends flexibility based on the nature of the transfer, with TCP preferred for its reliability and UDP in scenarios where speed trumps guaranteed delivery.

Security Information

exposure of :152

risk score

3/ 10caution

worth attention. how exposed you are depends on configuration — don't leave it reachable from the internet without a reason.

file transfer averages 4.1 across 114 ports — this one sits 1.1 below.

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 · udp

udp is connectionless — source addresses are trivially spoofed and it is a reflection favourite

security overview

Common Vulnerabilities

  • Weak Authentication: If misconfigured SSH access controls or outdated credentials policies are used, attackers can gain unauthorized access.
  • Unencrypted Session Fall-back: Misconfiguration or use without enforced encryption can expose transferred data to interception.
  • Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Without proper host verification, attackers may intercept or alter file transfers.
  • Brute Force Attacks: Automated attempts to guess SSH credentials could lead to service compromise.

Common Mitigations

  • Enforce Strong SSH Authentication: Use key-based authentication with strong passphrases to prevent unauthorized logins.
  • Update and Patch Regularly: Maintain current SSH server/client versions to fix known exploits.
  • Implement Network Segmentation and Firewalls: Restrict access to port 152 to only trusted IPs using firewall rules.
  • Use Encryption by Default: Always enforce encrypted sessions, disable plain-text fall-back where applicable.
  • Monitor and Log Access: Enable detailed logging and anomaly detection to identify suspicious transfer patterns or brute force attempts.

Related Ports

all 114 in file transfer →

the 8 most looked-up other ports in file transfer — 114 ports carry that label.

portservicerisk
:9080Groove RPCcaution
:17500Dropbox LAN Synccaution
:548Apple Filing Protocolcaution
:7000Vuze HTTPS Trackercaution
:1337PowerFolder P2Pcaution
:9001SharePoint Authoringcaution
:8080FilePhile Relaycaution
:1337WASTE Encrypted Sharingcaution

risk mix of the 8 listed

  • caution100%

1 of 8 encrypted