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// Network services

Port 515: spooler

Port 515 is assigned by IANA to printer (spooler).

515

How printer works

Network services
client:515printerresponse client:515printerresponse

The client sends a request to port 515 and the printer 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
Well-known (0-1023)
Category
Network services
01 Security

Is port 515 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 515. 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 515

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
printer 515 TCP, UDP spooler - -

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 515, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :515'      # process listening on 515
sudo lsof -nP -i :515

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :515

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 515 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 515
netstat -ano | findstr :515

From another machine

nmap -p 515 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 515 <host>
nc -zv <host> 515

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 515/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 515" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 515 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 515 used for?

Port 515 is assigned by IANA to printer (spooler).

Is port 515 TCP or UDP?

Port 515 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 515?

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 515 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :515'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :515", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :515" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 515 <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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