- Answer only the networks that need the service (no open resolvers, relays or reflectors).
- UDP services can be abused for DDoS amplification: rate-limit or block them at the edge.
- Disable legacy test services that have no use in production.
Port 5354: Multicast DNS Responder IPC
Port 5354 is assigned by IANA to mdnsresponder (Multicast DNS Responder IPC).
How mdnsresponder works
Network servicesThe client sends a request to port 5354 and the mdnsresponder service answers.
- Transport
- TCP · UDP
- Exposure risk
- not rated depends on the program listening
- Encryption
- Unknownnot stated by the registry
- IANA status
- Assigned1 registered service
- Range
- Registered (1024-49151)
- Category
- Network services
Is port 5354 dangerous?
We have no specific security note for port 5354. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for network services services:
IANA registry entries for port 5354
| Service | Port | Transport | Description | Reference | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mdnsresponder | 5354 | TCP, UDP | Multicast DNS Responder IPC | - | 2004-06 |
// source: IANA service name and port number registry
Which program uses port 5354, and is it reachable?
Linux
sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :5354' # process listening on 5354
sudo lsof -nP -i :5354macOS
sudo lsof -nP -i :5354
Windows (PowerShell)
Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 5354 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 5354 netstat -ano | findstr :5354
From another machine
nmap -p 5354 -sV <host> sudo nmap -sU -p 5354 <host> nc -zv <host> 5354
Block it in the firewall
sudo ufw deny 5354/tcp # Linux (ufw) New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 5354" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 5354 -Protocol TCP -Action Block # Windows
What is port 5354 used for?
Port 5354 is assigned by IANA to mdnsresponder (Multicast DNS Responder IPC).
Is port 5354 TCP or UDP?
Port 5354 is registered for TCP and UDP.
Is it safe to open port 5354?
It depends on the program that listens on it. Open it only for a service you know and only to the networks that need it. Answer only the networks that need the service (no open resolvers, relays or reflectors).
How do I check if port 5354 is open?
On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :5354'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :5354", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :5354" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 5354 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.