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Port 5357 Hacktricks

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 port 5357 hacktricks

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 a common sight during Windows

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

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.

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.

Port 5357 – HackTricks Summary

Service: WSDAPI (Web Services for Devices) / HTTP
Commonly found on: Windows (Windows 7, 8, 10, Server editions)
Protocol: HTTP (often REST-like SOAP/XML services)

✅ 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.

Hardening and mitigation

  • Block at perimeter: Deny inbound access to port 5357 from untrusted networks; only allow necessary management networks.
  • Network segmentation: Put printers, IoT, and unmanaged devices on separate VLANs with strict ACLs.
  • Device configuration: Disable WSD or device discovery services if not required; prefer management via authenticated channels (HTTPS, SNMPv3, MDM).
  • Authentication & firmware: Enforce strong device credentials, change defaults, and apply firmware updates promptly.
  • Access control: Restrict which hosts can query device management endpoints (IP allowlists, firewall rules).
  • Logging & alerting: Enable device logging and centralize logs; alert on configuration changes or unusual requests.
  • Rate limiting & WAF: Apply rate limits or web-application controls to SOAP endpoints if your infrastructure supports them.
  • Inventory & asset management: Maintain an accurate inventory of devices exposing WSD and track their patch status.

Conclusion

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.

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) How attackers probe and exploit port 5357

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

Port 5357 – Common Uses

  • WSDAPI (Web Services Dynamic Discovery) / WSDAPI Debug Host – Used by Windows for Web Services on Devices (WSD) debugging.
  • WER (Windows Error Reporting) – Sometimes associated with error reporting services.
  • Microsoft HTTPAPI/HTTP.sys – Can host lightweight HTTP services.