SSDP

SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) is a network protocol used for the discovery of network services and devices. It operates over port 1900 and is commonly used in UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) environments. SSDP allows devices to advertise their presence and capabilities to other devices on the network.

What is SSDP

SSDP, or Simple Service Discovery Protocol, is a network protocol that enables the discovery of network services and devices. It is a key component of the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol suite, which allows devices to seamlessly connect and communicate with each other on a local network. SSDP operates over port 1900 using the HTTPU (HTTP over UDP) protocol.

SSDP works by allowing devices to send out discovery messages to locate other devices and services on the network. When a device joins the network, it can send out a multicast message to announce its presence and capabilities. Other devices on the network can then respond to this message, enabling automatic configuration and interaction between devices.

SSDP is widely used in home and small office networks to facilitate the easy setup and management of networked devices such as printers, media servers, and smart home devices. However, its use is not limited to these environments; it can also be found in larger enterprise networks where device discovery and management are necessary.

SSDP runs on TCP and UDP port 1900 and is official IANA port.

Security risk

If port 1900 is open and SSDP is running, it can expose the network to various security risks, including unauthorized access and information leakage. Attackers can exploit SSDP to discover network devices and potentially gain control over them. It is recommended to secure or disable SSDP on networks where it is not needed to mitigate these risks.

In our UFW tutorial you can follow instructions how you can configure UFW to close port 1900. Use StackChanges to monitor if the SSDP port is closed and stays closed. StackChanges will send an alert if port 1900 is open again.