Skip to content
NetBIOS
Service

NetBIOS

Windows legacy naming

:137 :138 :139 3 guides 2 phases
1 min read Created: Jan 26, 2026 Updated: Jul 13, 2026

NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System) provides name resolution and session services over UDP port 137 (name service), UDP port 138 (datagram), and TCP port 139 (session/SMB over NetBIOS). Nmap identifies these as netbios-ns and netbios-ssn. NetBIOS is common on older Windows networks and is often found alongside SMB on port 445.

NetBIOS name queries reveal hostnames, domain or workgroup membership, and the MAC address of the target. The name table can expose logged-in users and running services. NetBIOS session service on TCP 139 carries legacy SMB traffic, which may allow null session enumeration or share access.

Use nbtscan or nmblookup to query NetBIOS names across a subnet. Nmap's nbstat script extracts the full name table. If TCP 139 is open, test with smbclient or enum4linux-ng for share and user enumeration using null sessions.

Enumeration

Pull hostnames, domain names, and role hints via NetBIOS name tables

2

NetBIOS Session Enumeration

Enumerate active NetBIOS sessions over TCP/445 to identify logged-in users, remote hosts, and active connections using tools like nbtstat and enum4linux.

Mar 30, 2026 • 3 min read

Vulnerability Discovery

Guides on finding info leaks via NetBIOS enumeration

1