Netcat

cheatsheet

Client-server

Server

nc -lv 8000

Client

nc 192.168.1.1 8000

-h	nc -h	Help
-z	nc -z 192.168.1.9 1-100	Port scan for a host or IP address
-v	nc -zv 192.168.1.9 1-100	Provide verbose output
-n	nc -zn 192.168.1.9 1-100	Fast scan by disabling DNS resolution
-l	nc -lp 8000	TCP Listen mode (for inbound connects)
-w	nc -w 180 192.168.1.9 8000	Define timeout value
-k	nc -kl 8000	Continue listening after disconnection
-u	nc -u 192.168.1.9 8000	Use UDP instead of TCP
-q	nc -q 1 192.168.1.9 8000	Client stay up after EOF
-4	nc -4 -l 8000	IPv4 only
-6	nc -6 -l 8000	IPv6 only

Examples

Upload file

Server (192.168.1.9)

$ nc -lv 8000 > file.txt

Client

$ nc 192.168.1.9 8000 < file.txt

Remote shell

Server (192.168.1.9)

$ nc -lv 8000 -e /bin/bash

Client

$ nc 192.168.1.9 8000