9042
Cassandra CQL Native
Critical RiskTCP — Database
Port Overview
Port Number
9042
Service Name
Cassandra CQL Native
Transport Protocol
TCP
Category
Database
Security Risk
Critical
Port Range
Registered (1024-49151)
What is Port 9042?
Port 9042 is the native CQL (Cassandra Query Language) port for Apache Cassandra, used by all modern Cassandra drivers and client applications. The CQL binary protocol replaced the legacy Thrift protocol and provides a more efficient and feature-rich interface for database operations. This is the primary port that applications use to communicate with Cassandra clusters.
TCP
Database
Commonly Used
Security Considerations
Port 9042 (Cassandra CQL Native) is classified as critical risk. This port should not be exposed to the public internet. The service transmits data without encryption, making it vulnerable to eavesdropping, credential theft, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Recommendation: Block this port at the firewall. Use encrypted alternatives (SSH, SFTP, HTTPS) instead.