MSFT-GC-SSL

MSFT-GC-SSL on port 3269 is used to provide secure, encrypted access to the Global Catalog in Microsoft Active Directory. This service ensures that directory information is transmitted securely over the network. It is essential for environments where security and data integrity are critical.

What is MSFT-GC-SSL

MSFT-GC-SSL, operating on port 3269, is a service used to provide secure, encrypted access to the Global Catalog in Microsoft Active Directory. The Global Catalog is a distributed data repository that contains a searchable, partial representation of every object in every domain within a multi-domain Active Directory forest. This allows users and applications to quickly locate directory information regardless of which domain in the forest actually contains the data.

The use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that the data transmitted between the client and the server is encrypted, providing a layer of security that is crucial in protecting sensitive directory information from being intercepted or tampered with during transmission. This is particularly important in environments where data security and integrity are paramount.

Microsoft Active Directory, introduced in Windows 2000 Server, has become a cornerstone of identity and access management in enterprise environments. The Global Catalog plays a vital role in this system by enabling efficient searches across the entire directory. By using port 3269 for SSL-encrypted access, organizations can ensure that their directory services are both efficient and secure.

MSFT-GC-SSL runs on TCP and UDP port 3269 and is official IANA port.

Security risk

If port 3269 is open and the service is running, there is a risk that unauthorized users could attempt to access the Global Catalog. However, the use of SSL encryption mitigates this risk by ensuring that data transmitted over the network is secure. It is still essential to implement proper access controls and monitoring to prevent unauthorized access.

In our UFW tutorial you can follow instructions how you can configure UFW to close port 3269. Use StackChanges to monitor if the MSFT-GC-SSL port is closed and stays closed. StackChanges will send an alert if port 3269 is open again.