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// Network services

Port 1512: Microsoft's Windows Internet Name Service

Port 1512 is assigned by IANA to wins (Microsoft's Windows Internet Name Service).

1512

How wins works

Network services
client:1512winsresponse client:1512winsresponse

The client sends a request to port 1512 and the wins 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
01 Security

Is port 1512 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 1512. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for network services services:

  • 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.
02 Registry

IANA registry entries for port 1512

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
wins 1512 TCP, UDP Microsoft's Windows Internet Name Service - -

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 1512, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :1512'      # process listening on 1512
sudo lsof -nP -i :1512

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :1512

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 1512 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 1512
netstat -ano | findstr :1512

From another machine

nmap -p 1512 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 1512 <host>
nc -zv <host> 1512

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 1512/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 1512" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 1512 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 1512 used for?

Port 1512 is assigned by IANA to wins (Microsoft's Windows Internet Name Service).

Is port 1512 TCP or UDP?

Port 1512 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 1512?

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 1512 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :1512'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :1512", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :1512" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 1512 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

05 Related
:53 DNS tcp · udp · moderate risk :135 MS RPC tcp · udp · high risk :123 NTP udp · tcp · moderate risk :67 DHCP server udp · tcp · moderate risk :111 rpcbind tcp · udp · high risk :9100 Raw printing (JetDirect) tcp · udp · high risk :631 IPP / CUPS tcp · udp · high risk :5353 mDNS udp · tcp · moderate risk

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