Port 3260iSCSI Target Service

Port 3260 is the default TCP port used by the iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) protocol's target service. It facilitates the communication between an iSCSI initiator (client) and target (server), enabling block-level storage data access over IP networks. Commonly employed in storage area networks (SANs), it helps organizations consolidate and manage storage devices efficiently..

transport
tcp

single transport

in transit
cleartext

payload readable on path

assignment
official

registered with iana

risk
4/10

caution

lookups
11,130

rank 380 of 993 · top 38%

Technical Details

what runs on :3260

The iSCSI protocol transports SCSI commands over IP networks, allowing clients (initiators) to communicate with storage arrays or servers (targets) as though they were locally attached disks. By encapsulating SCSI packets in TCP/IP, iSCSI leverages existing network infrastructure to provide scalable, cost-effective storage solutions without dedicated Fibre Channel hardware.

On port 3260, the iSCSI target service listens for connections from initiators. The connection begins with a login phase where authentication and session parameters are negotiated using the iSCSI protocol. Once established, commands and data are transferred efficiently between initiator and target, supporting a range of storage management operations, including read/write commands, reservations, and task management.

iSCSI supports multiple sessions and connections per session, offering features such as multipath I/O to increase redundancy and performance. It integrates with enterprise storage frameworks, enabling features like snapshots, replication, and thin provisioning while using a familiar and standardized transport protocol.

Security Information

exposure of :3260

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

every listening transport is another surface to filter at the edge

security overview

Common Vulnerabilities:

  • Lack of encryption may expose sensitive data in transit to eavesdropping.
  • Weak or misconfigured authentication (e.g., no CHAP or weak credentials) risks unauthorized access.
  • Exposure to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks targeting the iSCSI service on port 3260.
  • Potential susceptibility to man-in-the-middle attacks if the traffic isn't secured.

Common Mitigations:

  • Implement strong authentication with mutual CHAP to verify initiators and targets.
  • Use IPsec or configure iSCSI over encrypted networks (e.g., VPN or private VLANs).
  • Restrict access to the port using firewalls, limiting visibility only to trusted hosts/subnets.
  • Monitor network traffic and system logs to detect suspicious activity.
  • Keep firmware and software updated to address known vulnerabilities.

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