Port 3050Interbase/Firebird gds_db

Port 3050 is primarily used by Interbase and Firebird database servers for client-server communication over their proprietary gds_db protocol. Both are relational databases popular for embedded solutions and medium-scale database deployments, providing SQL-based data management support across numerous platforms..

transport
tcp · udp

2 transports registered

in transit
cleartext

payload readable on path

assignment
official

registered with iana

risk
4/10

caution

lookups
10,743

rank 407 of 993 · top 41%

Technical Details

what runs on :3050

Port 3050 supports both TCP and UDP protocols for database connectivity with Interbase and Firebird. The gds_db protocol facilitates the exchange of SQL queries, transactions, and database management commands between client applications and the server. This communication includes initiating sessions, executing statements, handling transactions, and transferring data results.

The Firebird project forked from Interbase, maintaining protocol compatibility, so port 3050 continues to serve both technologies seamlessly. The protocol primarily leverages TCP for reliable client-server interactions, including authentication and data transfer, while UDP may be used occasionally for certain auxiliary messages or broadcast discovery features.

In standard deployments, port 3050 must be open on the database server to enable remote database access. This port is well-recognized in database environments, so configuring access controls and network rules to permit legitimate communication while restricting unauthorized connections is a common practice.

Security Information

exposure of :3050

risk score

4/ 10caution

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

databases averages 4.0 across 58 ports — this one sits level with it.

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 associated with port 3050 include:

  • Weak or missing authentication mechanisms leading to unauthorized database access.
  • Exposure of sensitive data transmitted in plaintext as the gds_db protocol is not encrypted by default.
  • Disclosure of database structure or contents through poorly secured interfaces.
  • Potential exploitation of outdated Interbase/Firebird versions with known vulnerabilities like buffer overflows or privilege escalation.

To mitigate these risks:

  • Always enforce strong authentication and user access controls.
  • Limit open access to trusted IP addresses and subnets via firewall rules.
  • Utilize VPN tunnels or SSH port-forwarding to encrypt database traffic if native encryption isn’t enabled.
  • Keep Firebird/Interbase servers regularly patched to address security flaws.
  • Monitor port 3050 for unusual activity and implement intrusion detection to alert on suspicious access attempts.

the 8 most looked-up other ports in databases — 58 ports carry that label.

risk mix of the 8 listed

  • caution100%

1 of 8 encrypted