Port 1026 – Windows DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model)

Why It’s Open

Port 1026 is another dynamic port used by Microsoft Remote Procedure Call (RPC) services. Like port 1025, it is part of the dynamic RPC port range used by Windows systems for distributed computing and inter-process communication. This port is commonly associated with the Microsoft DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) service.

Organizations running Windows infrastructure use this port for various RPC-based services, particularly those involving DCOM applications, Exchange Server communications, and other Windows services that require remote procedure calls.

Common Risks

• DCOM Vulnerabilities:
  Complex DCOM protocol prone to security flaws.
• Privilege Escalation:
  Compromised RPC services may run with high privileges.
• Authentication Weaknesses:
  Misconfigured DCOM can allow unauthorized access.
• Network Traversal:
  RPC services can enable lateral movement.
• Version Exposure:
  Service enumeration reveals potential vulnerabilities.

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Enumeration & Testing

Check if it’s open:

nmap -sT -p 1026

Test DCOM:

dcomexec.py

Enumerate RPC:

rpcdump.py  -p 1026

What to Look For

Mitigation

• Disable DCOM:
  If not required, disable DCOM services.
• Access Controls:
  Implement strict RPC authentication.
• Network Segmentation:
  Restrict RPC traffic to necessary systems.
• Least Privilege:
  Run services with minimal required permissions.
• Regular Patching:
  Keep Windows components up to date.

TL;DR

• Port 1026 = Microsoft RPC/DCOM
• Part of Windows service infrastructure
• Significant attack surface
• Requires strict security controls

Known CVEs and Exploits

• CVE-2024-21872 – DCOM authentication bypass
• CVE-2023-29357 – RPC remote code execution
• CVE-2022-24492– Privilege escalation via DCOM
• Multiple tools available for DCOM/RPC exploitation