Port 5357 Hacktricks — Free
: If you are auditing an older, unpatched Windows Server or workstation, the HTTP protocol stack may be vulnerable to a remote code execution or Denial of Service (DoS) flaw via a maliciously crafted Range header.You can test for this vulnerability using curl :
During a penetration test or a Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, encountering an open port 5357 offers a unique avenue for network enumeration and information gathering. This article breaks down how port 5357 works, how to enumerate it using tools found in the HackTricks methodology, and how to secure it. 1. What is Port 5357 (WS-Discovery)?
This article is for educational purposes and authorized security testing only. The techniques described should only be applied to systems you own or have explicit permission to test. Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal.
WS-Discovery endpoints often expose specific UUIDs or long strings as paths. You can utilize tools like ffuf or Gobuster paired with specialized wordlists to find active endpoints under this port, though standard wordlists may yield limited results due to the dynamic nature of WS-Discovery URLs. 3. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation port 5357 hacktricks
In local network environments, services tied to network discovery can sometimes be coerced into authenticating against an attacker-controlled machine. While tools like Responder target LLMNR/NBT-NS (UDP 137/138) or mDNS, WSD configurations can occasionally be manipulated to force a machine to initiate an outbound SMB connection, exposing NTLM hashes for cracking or relaying. 4. Remediation and Hardening
It was a small leak, but in cybersecurity, leaks sink ships. With the hostname LEDGER-DC01 confirmed, Elena could now launch a targeted brute-force attack or a password spraying attempt against the VPN portal. She didn't need to guess the username format anymore; she knew the naming convention.
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 are auditing an older, unpatched
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 : TCP Service : Web Services for Devices (WSD) / wsdapi
Port 5357 is utilized by Microsoft Windows for . It acts as an HTTP-based service (often managed by Microsoft-HTTPAPI/2.0 ) that allows Windows machines to automatically discover and interact with network-connected devices, such as: Printers and Scanners Network Attached Storage (NAS) IoT Devices
: Ensure that Port 5357 is blocked at the network perimeter. It should never be exposed to the public Internet. What is Port 5357 (WS-Discovery)
These channels accept local inbound web requests for device identification.
Protecting systems against exploitation of port 5357 involves a multi-layered approach.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
By querying the WSD API successfully, an attacker can extract: Computer names Domain configurations Internal hardware details (e.g., connected smart printers) Relay and Spoofing Attacks
Port 5357 should typically only be open on local, trusted networks.