How to disable shell when using sFTP protocol

getting the following error message.
Cannot initialize SFTP protocol. Is the host running a SFTP server?

Browsed through the form here and I see that this has bee reported before, but couldn't locate the exact solution.
Please help.
Thanks.

Please post a full log file showing the problem.

Here is my log file.

. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 WinSCP Version 4.3.5 (Build 1463) (OS 6.1.7600)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 Configuration: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Martin Prikryl\WinSCP 2\
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 Local account: FTICORP\dshirgu
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 Login time: Friday, November 18, 2011 8:49:17 AM
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 Session name: username@sftp-server (Modified stored session)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.199 Host name: sftp-server (Port: 22)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 User name: username (Password: No, Key file: No)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Tunnel: No
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Transfer Protocol: SFTP (SCP)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Ping type: -, Ping interval: 30 sec; Timeout: 15 sec
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Proxy: none
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 SSH protocol version: 2; Compression: No
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Bypass authentication: No
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Try agent: Yes; Agent forwarding: No; TIS/CryptoCard: No; KI: Yes; GSSAPI: No
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Ciphers: aes,blowfish,3des,WARN,arcfour,des; Ssh2DES: No
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 SSH Bugs: -,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 SFTP Bugs: -,-
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Return code variable: Autodetect; Lookup user groups: Yes
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Shell: default
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 EOL: 0, UTF: 2
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Clear aliases: Yes, Unset nat.vars: Yes, Resolve symlinks: Yes
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 LS: ls -la, Ign LS warn: Yes, Scp1 Comp: No
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Local directory: default, Remote directory: home, Update: No, Cache: Yes
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 Cache directory changes: Yes, Permanent: Yes
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 DST mode: 1
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.200 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.261 Looking up host "sftp-server"
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.261 Connecting to 108.242.14.253 port 22
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.283 Selecting events 63 for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Enumerated 18 network events making 18 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Handling network write event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Handling network connect event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.285 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.314 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Server version: SSH-2.0-CIGNA SFTP Server Ready!
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 We believe remote version has SSH-2 ignore bug
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Using SSH protocol version 2
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 We claim version: SSH-2.0-WinSCP_release_4.3.5
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.315 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.335 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Doing Diffie-Hellman group exchange
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.336 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.421 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.421 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.421 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.421 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.421 Doing Diffie-Hellman key exchange with hash SHA-1
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.451 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.451 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.451 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.540 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.540 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.540 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.540 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Selecting events 63 for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Host key fingerprint is:
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 ssh-rsa 1024 02:a4:e9:3d:21:be:0d:c9:71:c5:6d:72:43:b3:e2:05
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Initialised AES-256 CBC client->server encryption
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Initialised HMAC-SHA1 client->server MAC algorithm
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Initialised AES-256 CBC server->client encryption
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Initialised HMAC-SHA1 server->client MAC algorithm
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.582 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.733 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.733 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.733 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.733 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
! 2011-11-18 08:49:17.733 Using username "username".
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.736 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.736 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.737 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.757 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.757 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.757 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.757 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:17.757 Prompt (7, SSH password, , &Password: )
. 2011-11-18 08:49:26.918 Sent password
. 2011-11-18 08:49:26.918 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:26.918 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:26.918 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.361 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.361 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.361 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.362 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.362 Access granted
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.362 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.362 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.362 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Opened channel for session
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Waiting for the server to continue with the initialisation
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.382 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.909 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.909 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.909 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.909 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.909 Started a shell/command
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.911 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.911 Using SFTP protocol.
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.912 Doing startup conversation with host.
> 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Type: SSH_FXP_INIT, Size: 5, Number: -1
> 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 01,00,00,00,05,
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Sent 9 bytes
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 There are 9 bytes remaining in the send buffer
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Waiting for another 4 bytes
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Looking for incoming data
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.914 Looking for network events
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.961 Detected network event
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.961 Enumerating network events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.961 Enumerated 1 network events making 1 cumulative events for socket 236
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.961 Handling network read event on socket 236 with error 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Received 115 bytes (0)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Server sent command exit status 0
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Read 4 bytes (111 pending)
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Read 111 bytes (0 pending)
< 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Type: SSH_FXP_STATUS, Size: 111, Number: 0
< 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 65,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,06,00,00,00,62,5B,32,30,31,31,2F,31,31,2F,31,38,20,
< 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 30,38,3A,34,39,3A,32,37,2E,39,30,39,5D,20,53,53,45,32,36,33,36,20,43,6F,6D,
< 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 6D,61,6E,64,20,72,65,6A,65,63,74,65,64,20,64,75,65,20,74,6F,20,73,66,74,70,
< 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 20,70,72,6F,78,79,20,70,6F,6C,69,63,79,20,73,65,74,74,69,6E,67,73,3A,20,53,
< 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 53,48,5F,46,58,50,5F,49,4E,49,54,
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Attempt to close connection due to fatal exception:
* 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Cannot initialize SFTP protocol. Is the host running a SFTP server?
* 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 (Exception) Error decoding SFTP packet (111, 4, 111).
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Closing connection.
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Sending special code: 12
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Sent EOF message
. 2011-11-18 08:49:27.962 Selecting events 0 for socket 236
* 2011-11-18 08:49:27.977 (ESshFatal) Error decoding SFTP packet (111, 4, 111).
* 2011-11-18 08:49:27.977 Cannot initialize SFTP protocol. Is the host running a SFTP server?

Thanks

I have sent you an email.

Replied to your email. Attached a new log file.

Emailed admin with my log file.

it would be great if you'd actually shared the secret solution to the problem, otherwise this post is useless for others (-> delete the post since it is useless).

Thanks

I would like to second that. If you would kindly post the solution, it would be helpful. Thanks!

DanielWorker wrote:

I would like to second that. If you would kindly post the solution, it would be helpful. Thanks!

There's no general solution. Every problem related to this error message is different. Pleae post your log.

Here is my log. The admin of the server that I am attempting to connect to says the solution would be for me to "disable shell access when connecting". Is that the solution to this issue? If so, how do I disable shell access in WinSCP?

. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.024 ------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.055 Looking up host "sftp-b2bgateway.sys.cigna.com"
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.056 Connecting to 208.242.14.253 port 22
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.154 Server version: SSH-2.0-CIGNA SFTP Server Ready!
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.154 Using SSH protocol version 2
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.154 We claim version: SSH-2.0-WinSCP_release_4.3.9
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.197 Doing Diffie-Hellman group exchange
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.308 Doing Diffie-Hellman key exchange with hash SHA-1
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.522 Host key fingerprint is:
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.522 ssh-rsa 1024 02:a4:e9:3d:21:be:0d:c9:71:c5:6d:72:43:b3:e2:05
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised AES-256 CBC client->server encryption
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised HMAC-SHA1 client->server MAC algorithm
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised AES-256 CBC server->client encryption
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised HMAC-SHA1 server->client MAC algorithm
! 2012-08-03 16:04:58.711 Using username "cig_purewellness".
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.744 Prompt (7, SSH password, , &Password: )
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.744 Using stored password.
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.749 Sent password
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.948 Access granted
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.976 Opened channel for session
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.605 Started a shell/command
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.607 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.607 Using SFTP protocol.
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.607 Doing startup conversation with host.
> 2012-08-03 16:04:59.609 Type: SSH_FXP_INIT, Size: 5, Number: -1
< 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Type: SSH_FXP_STATUS, Size: 111, Number: 0
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Attempt to close connection due to fatal exception:
* 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Cannot initialize SFTP protocol. Is the host running a SFTP server?
* 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 (Exception) Error decoding SFTP packet (111, 4, 111).
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Closing connection.

Just in case anyone else comes across this thread:

I "fixed" my problem by setting the preferred SFTP protocol version to 4.

Anonymous wrote:

Just in case anyone else comes across this thread:

I "fixed" my problem by setting the preferred SFTP protocol version to 4.

Thanks for sharing this.

Anyway, can you send me an email, so I can send you back a debug version of WinSCP to track the problem? Please include link back to this topic in your email. Also note in this topic that you have sent the email. Thanks.

I'm running across a similar issue with the same vendor.

However, I'm receiving a "permission denied" error code 3....user does not have required permission on path/x/outbox message.

I tried changing the preferred SFTP version to 4, but that didn't work.

They told me to turn off Shell Access, but to be honest I have no idea how to do that.

Any ideas?

ctrapeni wrote:

Here is my log. The admin of the server that I am attempting to connect to says the solution would be for me to "disable shell access when connecting". Is that the solution to this issue? If so, how do I disable shell access in WinSCP?

. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.024 ------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.055 Looking up host "sftp-b2bgateway.sys.cigna.com"
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.056 Connecting to 208.242.14.253 port 22
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.154 Server version: SSH-2.0-CIGNA SFTP Server Ready!
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.154 Using SSH protocol version 2
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.154 We claim version: SSH-2.0-WinSCP_release_4.3.9
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.197 Doing Diffie-Hellman group exchange
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.308 Doing Diffie-Hellman key exchange with hash SHA-1
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.522 Host key fingerprint is:
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.522 ssh-rsa 1024 02:a4:e9:3d:21:be:0d:c9:71:c5:6d:72:43:b3:e2:05
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised AES-256 CBC client->server encryption
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised HMAC-SHA1 client->server MAC algorithm
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised AES-256 CBC server->client encryption
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.523 Initialised HMAC-SHA1 server->client MAC algorithm
! 2012-08-03 16:04:58.711 Using username "cig_purewellness".
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.744 Prompt (7, SSH password, , &Password: )
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.744 Using stored password.
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.749 Sent password
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.948 Access granted
. 2012-08-03 16:04:58.976 Opened channel for session
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.605 Started a shell/command
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.607 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.607 Using SFTP protocol.
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.607 Doing startup conversation with host.
> 2012-08-03 16:04:59.609 Type: SSH_FXP_INIT, Size: 5, Number: -1
< 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Type: SSH_FXP_STATUS, Size: 111, Number: 0
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Attempt to close connection due to fatal exception:
* 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Cannot initialize SFTP protocol. Is the host running a SFTP server?
* 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 (Exception) Error decoding SFTP packet (111, 4, 111).
. 2012-08-03 16:04:59.663 Closing connection.

hanzelmans wrote:

I'm running across a similar issue with the same vendor.

However, I'm receiving a "permission denied" error code 3....user does not have required permission on path/x/outbox message.

I tried changing the preferred SFTP version to 4, but that didn't work.

They told me to turn off Shell Access, but to be honest I have no idea how to do that.

How's that similar? Please start a new thread and attach a complete log file.