Port 5357 Hacktricks Direct

Port 5357 is more than just an obscure port – it’s a potential entry point for unauthenticated info leaks, NTLM relaying, and legacy RCE. While not as juicy as 445, it’s often overlooked, making it a reliable target for lateral movement during internal penetration tests. If you see 5357 open, treat it as a lead, not a dead end.

Remember: in red teaming, every open port is a story waiting to be exploited.

This article is part of the HackTricks-style knowledge base. Always perform attacks only on systems you own or have explicit permission to test.

Port 5357 is primarily associated with Web Services for Devices (WSDAPI)

, a Microsoft implementation used for discovering and communicating with network-connected devices like printers and scanners over HTTP. The Role of Port 5357

On modern Windows systems, Port 5357 (TCP) acts as a local web server for the

. It allows devices to advertise their presence and services on a local network without manual configuration. While useful for seamless hardware integration, it often presents a surface for information gathering during a security assessment. Security Implications and Pentesting According to methodologies found on resources like HackTricks

, every open port is a potential entry point or data source. For Port 5357, the primary risks include: Information Disclosure

: The service can leak metadata such as device hostnames, manufacturer details, and network paths. Attackers use this for fingerprinting

the internal network to identify specific Windows versions or hardware models. Vulnerability Surface

: Historically, this service has been susceptible to memory corruption. For example, Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-063

addressed a critical vulnerability where specially crafted headers could lead to remote code execution. Lateral Movement

: By interacting with WSD, an attacker might identify other vulnerable devices on the subnet that wouldn't otherwise be visible through standard scanning. Practical Assessment Steps

If you encounter Port 5357 during a scan, consider the following: Identify the Process : Use commands like netstat -anb | find "5357"

to verify that the system is actively listening and to confirm it is indeed the Windows WSD service. Service Probing

: Attempt to browse the port via HTTP. While it may not serve a traditional webpage, it may respond with XML data or SOAP responses that reveal device identity. Network Context

: Note that this port is typically open in unmanaged or small office networks where "Network Discovery" is enabled. In highly secured environments, hardening recommendations

suggest blocking this port at the firewall level to prevent unnecessary information leakage. specific Nmap scripts for enumerating WSD services, or are you looking for firewall configuration steps to secure this port?

Port 5357 is typically associated with the Web Services for Devices API (WSDAPI), a Microsoft implementation of the WS-Discovery protocol. It allows devices like printers and scanners to be automatically discovered on a local network.  port 5357 hacktricks

While HackTricks does not currently have a dedicated page for Port 5357, the port is an extension of standard Windows network discovery services. Here is the technical breakdown for security assessment and enumeration.  Port 5357 Service Details  Protocol: TCP Service: Web Services for Devices (WSD) / wsdapi

Process: Often identified as mshttpapi or part of the Windows HTTP Server Stack.

Function: It provides an HTTP-based discovery mechanism. When accessed via a browser, it may return a "404 Not Found" or a simple status message if the service is active but not configured to serve a root page.  Enumeration & Pentesting Approach 

If you encounter Port 5357 during a scan, you can use these methods to gather more information: 

Banner Grabbing & Nmap Scanning:Identify the specific version of the HTTP server running on the port. nmap -sV -p 5357 Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard

Information Leakage Check:Port 5357 has been noted as a potential source for information leaks. Use tools like curl to check for XML responses that might reveal device names, manufacturer details, or network configurations. curl -v http://:5357/ Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard

Cross-Referencing WS-Discovery (UDP 3702):Since 5357 is the HTTP unicast part of WSD, it is often paired with UDP port 3702, which handles multicast discovery. Pentesting the UDP discovery service can often provide more detailed device information than the TCP port alone.  Vulnerability Context 

System Identification: If this port is open, it strongly indicates the target is a Windows-based system (Vista or later) with network discovery enabled.

Attack Surface: While there are no widespread "one-click" exploits for Port 5357 itself, it increases the target's attack surface by confirming the operating system and potentially leaking internal metadata about connected hardware.

Remediation: If network discovery is not required, this service can be disabled by turning off "Network Discovery" in the Windows Sharing settings or blocking the port via Windows Defender Firewall.  How to block TCP port 445 in Windows - ManageEngine

Step 1: Open the Control Panel Step 2: Click on Windows Firewall/ Windows Defender firewall Step 3: Navigate to advanced settings. ManageEngine Penetration Testing: Re: Port 5357 -- Vista SP1 ???

Port 5357: The Double-Edged Sword of Network Discovery

In the landscape of cybersecurity and penetration testing, open ports are the gateway to potential compromise. While high-profile ports like 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP), and 445 (SMB) garner the most attention, lesser-known service ports often provide the stealthy footholds that attackers exploit. One such vector is TCP port 5357, associated with the Web Services for Devices (WSD) and the Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) protocol suite. In security resources like HackTricks, this port is highlighted not necessarily for a single catastrophic vulnerability, but as a significant information disclosure vector and a relic of convenience that creates unnecessary network exposure in modern Windows environments.

Port 5357 is utilized by the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" service in Windows. This service allows the computer to publish its presence and discover other devices on the local network without requiring a centralized DNS server. While this is convenient for home users setting up printers or sharing media, in an enterprise environment, it creates a channel where machines broadcast their existence to anyone listening. In the context of penetration testing, as outlined in HackTricks methodology, the first phase of an attack is enumeration. An open port 5357 offers a low-effort, high-yield target for reconnaissance.

When assessing port 5357, the primary risk is information disclosure. By querying this port, an attacker can extract metadata about the target system without authentication. Tools such as ntbscan or custom scripts utilizing the Python impacket library can send a probe to the port and receive a response containing the computer name, workgroup, and operating system version. This is critical intelligence for an attacker; knowing the exact OS version allows them to tailor exploits specifically for that environment, bypassing generic defenses. The enumeration of this port aligns with the HackTricks philosophy of "trust but verify"—assuming a network is secure until an open port reveals that a machine is unnecessarily broadcasting its fingerprint.

Furthermore, the existence of this service suggests a broader security misconfiguration: the reliance on legacy discovery protocols. Port 5357 often works in tandem with UDP port 5355 (LLMNR) and UDP port 5353 (mDNS). The presence of port 5357 signals to an attacker that the network may be reliant on legacy broadcasting mechanisms. This opens the door to more complex attacks, such as LLMNR/NBT-NS poisoning (via tools like Responder). If a system is broadcasting its existence on port 5357, it is highly likely listening for name resolution requests on associated ports, allowing an attacker to intercept traffic and potentially capture password hashes by spoofing legitimate server responses.

From a defensive perspective, the mitigation strategies for port 5357 are straightforward but frequently overlooked in corporate governance. The standard recommendation is to disable the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" service and "SSDP Discovery" service on machines that do not require device broadcasting. In a hardened Active Directory environment, workstations should rely on the Domain Name System (DNS) rather than peer-to-peer discovery. Closing this port reduces the attack surface by silencing the machine on the local network segment, making it invisible to casual scanners.

In conclusion, port 5357 serves as a prime example of how convenience features can evolve into security liabilities. It is rarely the point of initial exploitation, but it acts as a signpost, directing attackers toward vulnerable hosts and legacy configurations. Security frameworks and knowledge bases like HackTricks emphasize the enumeration of such ports because security is often about eliminating small data leaks that cumulatively paint a complete picture of the target network. By understanding and securing port 5357, administrators can remove a vital reconnaissance tool from the attacker’s arsenal, reinforcing the principle that a secure network is often a silent network. Port 5357 is more than just an obscure

Port 5357 is used by the Web Services for Devices API (WSDAPI), a Microsoft implementation of WS-Discovery. This service allows devices on a local network—like printers, scanners, and file shares—to advertise and discover services without a central server.

The "HackTricks" approach to this port typically involves information disclosure and enumeration rather than direct, modern exploits. 🛠️ Feature: Service Information Enumeration

The primary "feature" of an open port 5357 is its ability to leak metadata about the host and its connected peripherals.

Device Fingerprinting: By querying this port, an attacker can discover hostnames, network paths, and unique device metadata.

WSD Address Discovery: WSDAPI typically listens on TCP 5357/5358 after receiving broadcast messages on UDP 3702. Capturing these broadcasts reveals a target's UUID (Universally Unique Identifier), which is required to trigger certain legacy vulnerabilities.

Infrastructure Recon: An open 5357 often signals a Windows environment where "Network Discovery" is enabled for "Private" or "Domain" firewall profiles. ⚠️ Potential Vulnerabilities

While modern Windows versions are more secure, port 5357 has historically been associated with:

Remote Code Execution (RCE): Older versions (Windows Vista and Server 2008) were vulnerable to memory corruption (CVE-2009-2512) via malformed WSD headers.

Unauthorized Interface Access: Poorly secured WSD services can expose web-based admin pages for printers or scanners, potentially allowing attackers to view or submit print jobs.

Lateral Movement: The metadata gathered from WSD can help an attacker identify other internal targets, such as workstations and shared resources, within the same subnet. 🛡️ Best Practices

Filter Public Profiles: Port 5357 should never be open to the internet and should ideally be filtered even on public local networks.

Network Segmentation: Keep WSD-enabled devices on a separate VLAN to limit the reach of an information leak.

Port 5357 – WSDAPI (Web Services for Devices) - PentestPad

I notice you're asking about "port 5357 hacktricks" — this likely refers to port 5357 and its potential relevance in penetration testing or security research, possibly documented on the HackTricks platform.

Here’s what I can tell you:

Understanding the use and potential vulnerabilities of port 5357 and related protocols like SSDP and UPnP can significantly improve network security. Utilizing resources like HackTricks can enhance your knowledge of cybersecurity concepts, from basic to advanced levels.

Port 5357 is used by Microsoft's Web Services for Devices API (WSDAPI) for local network discovery of devices like printers, and it is frequently targeted in penetration testing to gather host metadata and network information. Although not covered by HackTricks, this service often leaks information and can be mitigated by disabling Network Discovery in the Windows Control Panel or configuring firewall rules. More detailed port analysis can be found on PentestPad PentestPad

Port 5357 – WSDAPI (Web Services for Devices) - PentestPad This article is part of the HackTricks-style knowledge base

Related searches (suggested terms): port 5357 WSD, WSD SOAP GetDeviceInformation, disable WSD Windows, nmap http-wsd-discover

If the WSD endpoint belongs to a print device, the host might be vulnerable to the PrintNightmare chain:

curl http://<target>:5357/

Do not run intrusive exploitation against systems you don’t own or have permission to test.

Port 5357 is often overlooked in port scans, yet it represents a longstanding, practical intersection of convenience and risk. By default it’s used by Microsoft’s Web Services for Devices (WSD) / HTTPAPI stack (WS-Discovery/WSD and related services), exposing device discovery and management endpoints on many Windows hosts and some networked devices. That convenience—automatic discovery and control of printers, scanners, media devices, etc.—is precisely why defenders should treat it with care.

Why port 5357 matters

Threat landscape — practical concerns, not just CVEs

Typical reconnaissance and exploitation techniques

Defensive posture — practical, prioritized steps

Operational guidance for red teams and defenders

A realistic posture Port 5357 embodies a recurring tension in network design: usability-driven discovery vs. the discipline of minimal exposure. In well-run environments, WSD should be an intentional, confined capability: limited to specific subnets, disabled where unnecessary, and logged where used. In under-managed networks it’s a low-effort reconnaissance jackpot for attackers who can already reach local subnets or who can trick users/devices into interacting with malicious peers.

Conclusion Treat 5357 as part of every internal attack-surface assessment. It’s not always a high-severity remote exploit by itself today, but its role in discovery and device management makes it a facilitator for reconnaissance and chaining attacks. The most effective defenses are simple: restrict exposure, disable unused services, segment devices, and watch for unexpected WS-Discovery/HTTPAPI activity.

You're likely referring to the Port 5357, which is associated with the Windows SMB (Server Message Block) protocol, specifically for the "Key Management Service" (KMS) or Windows Activation. However, another notable usage of port 5357 is related to the SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) protocols, often exploited in IoT and network-related attacks.

Let's steer towards the information related to HackTricks, which seems to be what you're looking for: