The port was open, and that was the problem.

Privileged Access Management (PAM) controls the most sensitive gateways in your infrastructure. It holds the keys to admin accounts, secure services, and critical production systems. When these keys move over an internal port, the configuration of that port decides whether your defenses hold or break.

A PAM internal port is the channel your privileged access traffic travels through inside your network perimeter. Many treat it as safe simply because it’s not exposed to the public internet. That assumption is dangerous. Internal ports can be exploited through lateral movement, misconfigurations, or compromised internal accounts. Threat actors look for neglected internal traffic paths — and PAM ports are high-value targets.

Securing the PAM internal port means understanding what it does and locking it down with precision:

• Verify that the port is isolated from unnecessary hosts.
• Restrict firewall rules to only the PAM server and authorized endpoints.
• Enforce TLS encryption, even internally, to prevent interception.
• Monitor traffic patterns for anomalies and failed authentication attempts.
• Keep port-related configurations documented and audited in real time.

Many PAM deployments use default ports during installation. Leaving them unchanged makes scanning and recognition easier for intruders. Customizing ports, while not foolproof, adds complexity to reconnaissance efforts. Pair this with strict authentication policies to ensure that even if the port is identified, it cannot be abused without valid credentials.

Your PAM solution is only as strong as its weakest path. An internal port can become the silent opening through which attackers move. Close it, control it, and watch it.

See how hoop.dev can secure and manage your privileged access ports — live in minutes.