While not inherently "malicious," an open 5357 port provides a footprint for potential attackers.
Even if an attacker cannot log in, they can query the service using standard HTTP/SOAP requests.
Create a file probe.xml :
on Windows if not needed:
Understanding the "5357/tcp open wsdapi" result in a network scan is critical for system administrators and security researchers. This port is a standard gateway for device discovery within Windows environments, but it can also expose internal system details if left unprotected. What is Port 5357 (WSDAPI)? 5357/tcp open wsdapi
To understand the risk, you must first understand the service.
The simplest way to close the port is through the Windows UI: While not inherently "malicious," an open 5357 port
curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/soap+xml" -d @probe.xml http://<target_ip>:5357/
This guide provides a deep dive into the technical workings of port 5357, the security implications of leaving it exposed, and actionable steps for remediation. This port is a standard gateway for device