Port 3978OpenTTD Master Server
Port 3978 is primarily used by OpenTTD, an open-source transport simulation game modeled after Transport Tycoon Deluxe. This port facilitates communication between game clients and the master server as well as the content service, enabling server listings, multiplayer session coordination, and in-game content updates. It supports both TCP for reliable data transfer and UDP for efficient game state synchronization..
- transport
- tcp · udp
- in transit
- cleartext
- assignment
- unofficial
- risk
- 4/10
- lookups
- 12,471
2 transports registered
payload readable on path
used by convention
caution
rank 310 of 993 · top 31%
Technical Details
what runs on :3978Port 3978 serves a crucial role in OpenTTD’s network architecture. It acts as the port through which clients and servers communicate with the OpenTTD multiplayer master server, which maintains a live directory of available game servers. When a player wants to join a multiplayer game, their client queries the master server over this port to retrieve a list of active games.
Besides the server listing feature, this port also supports OpenTTD’s content downloading service. Through it, players can fetch additional game content such as NewGRFs (graphics sets), scenarios, and heightmaps. This dual use enhances gameplay by simplifying content updates and promoting a vibrant multiplayer community.
The port typically supports both TCP and UDP protocols. TCP is mainly used for service queries, content browsing, and downloads requiring reliable data transfer. UDP is preferable for real-time gameplay data transmission, offering low latency and minimal overhead suitable for interactive gaming environments.
Security Information
exposure of :3978risk score
4/ 10caution
worth attention. how exposed you are depends on configuration — don't leave it reachable from the internet without a reason.
gaming averages 4.0 across 124 ports — this one sits level with it.
in transit
cleartext
credentials and payloads are readable by anyone on path
assignment
unofficial
used by convention, not registered — what answers here varies by deployment
reachable over
tcp · udp
udp is connectionless — source addresses are trivially spoofed and it is a reflection favourite
security overview
Common Vulnerabilities:
- Open game servers accessible over port 3978 can be vulnerable to denial of service (DoS) attacks that overwhelm server resources.
- Potential for unauthorized server registration or manipulation of the public server list.
- Risk of exploitation of unpatched OpenTTD server or master server software via protocol misuse or malformed packets.
Common Mitigations:
- Restrict access to trusted IP ranges where possible, minimizing exposure to the public internet.
- Regularly update OpenTTD server software to incorporate the latest security patches.
- Employ firewalls or intrusion prevention tools to monitor and control unsolicited incoming traffic.
- Implement rate limiting to counteract potential DoS attacks.
- Consider network segmentation to isolate game servers from sensitive internal systems.
- Use encrypted tunnels or VPNs where appropriate, though native encryption support here is minimal.
Related Ports
the 8 most looked-up other ports in gaming — 124 ports carry that label.
| port | service | risk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :8888 | D2GS Admin Console | TCP | Remote Access | caution | 83.7k |
| :8888 | Earthland Realms 2 Server | TCP | Gaming | caution | 73.1k |
| :1513 | Garena Gaming | TCPUDP | Gaming | caution | 33.1k |
| :5555 | Freeciv | TCP | Security | caution | 26.9k |
| :18200 | Audition Online Server Check | TCPUDP | Gaming | caution | 20.9k |
| :12345 | NetBus / NetBuster | Security | caution | 19.9k | |
| :18206 | Audition FAM DB | TCPUDP | Databases | caution | 19.1k |
| :18505 | Audition Dance Battle Status Check | TCPUDP | Network Services | caution | 18.9k |
risk mix of the 8 listed
- caution100%
0 of 8 encrypted