Port 5357 Hacktricks Exclusive 【Authentic · 2025】

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

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 port 5357 hacktricks

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

Port 5357: WSDAPI Enumeration and Penetration Testing Port 5357 (TCP) is primarily used by the Web Services for Devices API (WSDAPI), Microsoft's implementation of the WS-Discovery protocol. It allows Windows systems to automatically discover and communicate with network-connected devices like printers, scanners, and file shares over HTTP. In a penetration testing context, this port is often a target for fingerprinting Windows environments or exploiting legacy memory corruption vulnerabilities. Service Overview

WSDAPI facilitates a "plug-and-play" network experience. It typically utilizes: TCP Port 5357: HTTP-based communication. TCP Port 5358: HTTPS-based communication (secure channel). UDP Port 3702: Multicast discovery (WS-Discovery).

The service is generally active on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 and later. Enumeration and Information Gathering

During a network assessment, port 5357 is highly useful for fingerprinting the target system. 1. Nmap Scanning

You can use Nmap to identify the service and its version. Since it runs over HTTP, standard service discovery flags are effective: nmap -p 5357 -sV Use code with caution.

Nmap typically identifies this as http or microsoft-httpapi. If the port appears open on every host in a subnet, it may be due to network-level forwarding or a firewall configuration rather than the service actually being active on every individual host. 2. Service Metadata

WSDAPI can leak significant metadata that aids in lateral movement: Hostnames and computer names. Device metadata such as printer models or scanner types. Network paths and file share locations. Known Vulnerabilities and Exploitation MS09-063: Memory Corruption (CVE-2009-2512)

One of the most critical vulnerabilities associated with WSDAPI is a stack-based buffer overflow. Port 5357 is used by Microsoft's Web Services

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

Port 5357 is a common sight during Windows penetration tests, often identified as Microsoft HTTPAPI httpd 2.0 or WSDAPI (Web Services for Devices API). While often overlooked, it serves as a critical discovery point for local network reconnaissance and legacy exploitation. Service Overview: WSDAPI

WSDAPI is Microsoft's implementation of the WS-Discovery protocol. It allows Windows machines to automatically discover and communicate with network-connected devices like printers, scanners, and file shares without manual configuration. Port 5357 (TCP): Used for HTTP-based communication. Port 5358 (TCP): Used for HTTPS-based communication. Port 3702 (UDP): Used for multicast discovery. Reconnaissance & Enumeration

When you encounter port 5357, the first step is to confirm the service and identify potential information leaks. 1. Nmap Service Detection

A standard version scan will often reveal the underlying HTTP server. nmap -sV -p 5357 Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard

Expected Output: 5357/tcp open http Microsoft HTTPAPI httpd 2.0 (SSDP/UPnP). 2. Information Disclosure

Port 5357 can leak metadata useful for fingerprinting the target.

Hostnames & Device Names: WSD often broadcasts the actual name of the computer or printer.

OS Fingerprinting: The specific response from Microsoft-HTTPAPI/2.0 can help narrow down Windows versions (commonly seen in Vista, Windows 7, and Server 2008). Vulnerabilities & Exploitation 1. Remote Code Execution (MS09-063 / CVE-2009-2512)

This is the most critical historic vulnerability associated with port 5357. Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-063 - Critical

The silent hum of the server room was broken only by the rhythmic blinking of a workstation. An analyst, following a standard pentesting methodology from HackTricks , noticed a curious entry in an Port 5357 (TCP) Disable Network Discovery on all workstations and servers

Tracing the digital breadcrumbs, the analyst discovered this port belongs to the Web Services for Devices API (WSDAPI)

, a Microsoft service designed to let devices like printers and scanners "plug-and-play" over a network. While helpful for office efficiency, it was a known Information Disclosure

risk, leaking hostnames and metadata that could be used for fingerprinting the internal environment.

The story took a darker turn as the analyst dug into legacy vulnerabilities. In older systems like Windows Vista and Server 2008, a critical memory corruption flaw (MS09-063) once allowed attackers to achieve Remote Code Execution

simply by sending a message with a "specially crafted" long header. Though patched years ago, this specific port remains a subtle marker of a machine's network discovery configuration, often accessible if the Windows Firewall is set to anything other than "Public". To secure the network, the analyst recommended: Filtering access

to Port 5357 so it is only reachable on trusted local subnets. Disabling Network Discovery for public profiles via Advanced Sharing Settings. Unchecking WSD ports in printer properties if they are not strictly required.

The investigation concluded with a reminder: even the most convenient "plug-and-play" features can become an open door if left unmonitored.

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

Defensive Measures

  1. Disable Network Discovery on all workstations and servers not requiring it.
  2. Block outbound port 5357 on firewalls (it’s rarely needed outside LAN).
  3. Monitor Event ID 5156 (Windows Filtering Platform) for connections to port 5357.
  4. Use PowerShell to check WSD status: 
    Get-Service WSDService
Stop-Service WSDService -Force
Set-Service WSDService -StartupType Disabled
  5. Patch against CVE-2016-3238 and later DPWS vulnerabilities.

✅ WSDAPI Buffer Overflow (CVE-2016-3238)

Older Windows versions (7, Server 2008 R2, early 2016) had a RCE via crafted ProbeMatches message. Exploit code exists on Exploit-DB.

1. Service Detection

nmap -sV -sC -p5357 10.10.10.5

Output might show:

5357/tcp open  http   Microsoft HTTPAPI httpd 2.0
|_http-title: Service Unavailable
|_http-server-header: Microsoft-HTTPAPI/2.0

Practical reconnaissance commands (safe, non-destructive)

  • Banner/info retrieval:
    • curl -sS -D - "http://:5357" (HTTP headers and any body)
    • curl -sS "http://:5357/Device" (common WSD paths; adjust as needed)
  • List services via SOAP (example request body; replace host):
    • Send a well-formed WSD SOAP GetService or GetDeviceInformation request and inspect XML response.
  • Nmap scanning:
    • nmap -sV -p 5357 --script=http-headers (service/version detection)
    • nmap -p 5357 --script=http-wsd-discover (if NSE script available)

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

Additional Information on HackTricks

The HackTricks website (https://book.hacktricks.xyz/) provides extensive guides on penetration testing, including detailed information on various ports and protocols. For professionals in cybersecurity, it's a valuable resource for both learning and reference, offering insights into exploit techniques and defense strategies across a wide range of topics.

Detection and monitoring

  • Monitor for unusual inbound/outbound traffic to port 5357 from non-management hosts.
  • Alert on high-rate or unusual SOAP/HTTP requests to WSD endpoints.
  • Inspect logs for SOAP actions like GetDeviceInformation, GetServices, SetConfiguration, or firmware-related requests.
  • Use IDS/IPS rules tuned to WSD SOAP signatures and anomalous sequences.

Common risks and real-world impact

  • Information disclosure: Device metadata, service lists, and configuration details can be exposed.
  • Unauthenticated actions: Some devices or implementations may accept commands without strong authentication, enabling configuration changes or remote actions (print jobs, firmware triggers).
  • Service enumeration: Attackers can enumerate devices on a network and map topology for follow-on attacks.
  • Pivoting/lateral movement: Compromised or exposed devices can be leveraged to reach internal services.
  • Fingerprinting for vulnerabilities: Exposed WSD endpoints help attackers identify devices with known CVEs.

How attackers probe and exploit port 5357

  1. Discovery & banner grabbing
    • Send simple HTTP GET/OPTIONS requests to :5357 and parse responses for device/service names, model identifiers, firmware versions, and supported actions.
  2. WSD/HTTP requests
    • WSD uses SOAP-like XML over HTTP. Attackers craft WSD SOAP requests to enumerate services, request metadata (GetDeviceInformation / GetServices), or perform actions (e.g., Start/Stop, SetConfiguration) if supported.
  3. Unauthenticated API abuse
    • Test for endpoints that accept requests without authentication or with weak authorization checks.
  4. Fuzzing SOAP fields
    • Fuzz XML fields, headers, and parameters to trigger parsing bugs, memory corruption, or unexpected behavior.
  5. Chaining to device-specific bugs
    • Use disclosed firmware versions to search for known CVEs and exploit chains (remote code execution, command injection, auth bypass).
  6. Network pivot
    • If device provides bridging or internal network access, use it to reach other subnets or management interfaces.