Port 8880CDDB Protocol Alternate

Port 8880 is an alternate port traditionally used by the CD DataBase Protocol (CDDBP), which allows music player software to query CD metadata databases such as Gracenote. It typically uses UDP communications, enabling client software to fetch details like album names, artist information, and track listings without direct user input..

transport
udp

single transport

in transit
cleartext

payload readable on path

assignment
official

registered with iana

risk
4/10

caution

lookups
29,545

rank 39 of 993 · top 4%

2 other services are registered on port 8880. compare all 3

Technical Details

what runs on :8880

The CD DataBase Protocol (CDDBP) was developed to facilitate the automatic retrieval of metadata associated with audio CDs. When a CD is inserted into a compatible player, the client computes a unique hash based on track structure, then queries a remote CDDB server over the network. Using UDP on port 8880 as an alternate to the traditional port 888 for CDDBP, the request is sent and metadata retrieved for a seamless user experience.

The communication is stateless, where the client typically sends a single datagram including the computed hash and expects a structured text response containing metadata. This alternate port offers redundancy or specialized service paths, ensuring metadata availability even during high traffic or specific deployment requirements.

Although CDDB services have mostly migrated towards HTTP-based APIs today, some legacy clients or proprietary systems still rely on UDP-based protocols like CDDBP. These services often maintain UDP interfaces on ports like 8880 for backward compatibility or specialized environments.

Security Information

exposure of :8880

risk score

4/ 10caution

worth attention. how exposed you are depends on configuration — don't leave it reachable from the internet without a reason.

network services averages 3.9 across 604 ports — this one sits 0.1 above.

in transit

cleartext

credentials and payloads are readable by anyone on path

assignment

official

registered with iana for this service — scanners fingerprint it by number

reachable over

udp

udp is connectionless — source addresses are trivially spoofed and it is a reflection favourite

security overview

Common vulnerabilities associated with UDP-based CDDBP include:

  • Reflection and amplification attacks: Since UDP is connectionless, malicious actors may forge source IPs and use the port to perform DDoS.
  • Data interception: Lack of encryption may expose metadata queries and responses to network sniffing.
  • Service abuse: Open UDP ports may be leveraged for information gathering or lateral movement.

Mitigations include:

  • Restricting inbound UDP traffic on port 8880 with firewall rules.
  • Implementing application-layer filtering or access control to limit who can query the service.
  • Migrating to authenticated, encrypted metadata services whenever feasible.
  • Monitoring network activity for unusual spikes indicative of abuse.

the 8 most looked-up other ports in network services — 604 ports carry that label.

risk mix of the 8 listed

  • caution100%

0 of 8 encrypted