Case Study of N-map

What is Nmap?
Nmap, also known as Network Mapper, is a powerful open-source tool used for network exploration and
security auditing. It is designed to scan and map networks, discover hosts, and identify open ports and
services

running on those hosts. Nmap provides a wealth of information about networked

devices, which can be invaluable for network administrators, security professionals,
and penetration testers.

Top 10 use cases of Nmap:

 Network Discovery: Nmap can be used to discover devices and hosts on a network. By
scanning a range of IP addresses, it identifies which devices are online and reachable.
 Port Scanning: It’s widely used for port scanning to determine which ports on a target
system are open and listening for incoming connections. This is crucial for assessing the
attack surface of a network.
 Service Identification: Nmap not only identifies open ports but also attempts to
determine which services are running on those ports. This helps in understanding the
software and versions running on target systems.
 Vulnerability Assessment: Security professionals can use Nmap to identify known
vulnerabilities in the services and software running on scanned hosts. Tools like NSE
(Nmap Scripting Engine) can automate vulnerability checks.
  Network Mapping: Nmap can create visual maps of network topologies, showing the
relationships between devices and their interconnections. This is useful for network
administrators to understand their network structure.
 Firewall Testing: By scanning a network from an external perspective, Nmap can help
assess the effectiveness of firewalls and other security measures. It can identify which
ports and services are accessible from the outside.
 OS Fingerprinting: Nmap can attempt to determine the operating system of a target
host based on how it responds to certain probes. This information is valuable for
understanding the network environment.
 Scriptable Automation: Nmap comes with a scripting engine (NSE) that allows
users to write custom scripts to automate various tasks, such as advanced
scanning, data collection, or even exploitation.
 Penetration Testing: Ethical hackers and penetration testers use Nmap to assess the
security of a network and discover potential entry points for attacks. Nmap can identify
weak points that need attention.
 Network Monitoring: In addition to active scanning, Nmap can be used for passive
network monitoring. By listening to network traffic, it can analyze and report on the
devices and services communicating on the network.

What are the feature of Nmap

Nmap, or Network Mapper, is a highly versatile and feature-rich open-source network

scanning tool that can be used for a variety of network exploration and security auditing
purposes. Here are some of the key features of Nmap:
  Port Scanning: Nmap excels at port scanning, allowing users to discover open
ports on target systems. It can identify both TCP and UDP ports, providing a
comprehensive view of the services running on a host.
 Service Detection: Nmap goes beyond port scanning by attempting to identify the
services and applications associated with open ports. It can often determine the software
version and additional information about these services.
 OS Fingerprinting: Nmap can perform operating system fingerprinting by analyzing
responses from the target system to specific probes. This helps in determining the type
and version of the operating system running on a host.
 Scripting Engine (NSE): Nmap includes a powerful scripting engine called the
Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE). It allows users to write custom scripts to automate
tasks, such as vulnerability scanning, network enumeration, and more.
 Vulnerability Scanning: With the help of NSE scripts and other plugins, Nmap can be
used for vulnerability scanning to identify known security issues on target systems.
 Network Mapping: Nmap can create visual network maps, illustrating the
relationships between devices and how they are interconnected. This is useful for
network administrators and security professionals.
 Ping Scanning: Nmap can use various ping techniques to determine the online
status of hosts, even if they don’t respond to traditional ICMP ping requests.
 Proxy Support: Nmap can be used through proxy servers, allowing users to scan
targets indirectly through a proxy.
 Output Formats: Nmap supports multiple output formats, including plain text, XML,
and various interactive interfaces. This flexibility makes it suitable for different
reporting and analysis needs.
 Performance Optimization: Nmap includes various performance optimization options
to control the speed and aggressiveness of scans, allowing users to balance scan speed
with network impact.

How Nmap works and Architecture?

 Host Discovery: Nmap starts by identifying which hosts are alive and
responsive on the network. It does this through techniques like ICMP
ping, TCP ping, or ARP scanning, depending on the specified options.
 Port Scanning: Once hosts are discovered, Nmap conducts port scanning to
determine which ports are open and listening on the target systems. This
involves sending TCP and UDP packets to various port numbers.
 Service Detection: For open ports, Nmap sends probes to determine the services
running on those ports. It may send specific payloads to elicit responses that
reveal information about the services and their versions.
 OS Fingerprinting: If enabled, Nmap can perform OS fingerprinting by
analyzing responses from the target systems to certain probes. This helps
in identifying the operating system.
  Scripting: The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) can execute scripts that perform
various tasks, including vulnerability scanning, banner grabbing, and custom network
enumeration, among others.
 Output and Reporting: Nmap generates reports in the specified output format,
providing information about the discovered hosts, open ports, services, and more.

Performing the Nmap tool in the lab

Output of Nmap commands
 Scripting: The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) can execute scripts that perform
various tasks, including vulnerability scanning, banner grabbing, and custom network
enumeration, among others.
 Output and Reporting: Nmap generates reports in the specified output format,
providing information about the discovered hosts, open ports, services, and more.

Performing the Nmap tool in the lab

Output of Nmap commands

Nmap, or Network Mapper, is a highly versatile and feature-rich open-source network
scanning tool that can be used for a variety of network exploration and security auditing
purposes. Here are some of the key features of Nmap:

 Port Scanning: Nmap excels at port scanning, allowing users to discover open
ports on target systems. It can identify both TCP and UDP ports, providing a
comprehensive view of the services running on a host.
 Service Detection: Nmap goes beyond port scanning by attempting to identify the
services and applications associated with open ports. It can often determine the software
version and additional information about these services.
 OS Fingerprinting: Nmap can perform operating system fingerprinting by analyzing
responses from the
 target system to specific probes. This helps in determining the type and version
of the operating system running on a host.
 Scripting Engine (NSE): Nmap includes a powerful scripting engine called the
Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE). It allows users to write custom scripts to automate
tasks, such as vulnerability scanning, network enumeration, and more.
 Vulnerability Scanning: With the help of NSE scripts and other plugins, Nmap can be
used for vulnerability scanning to identify known security issues on target systems.
 Network Mapping: Nmap can create visual network maps, illustrating the
relationships between devices and how they are interconnected. This is useful for
network administrators and security professionals.
 Ping Scanning: Nmap can use various ping techniques to determine the online
status of hosts, even if they don’t respond to traditional ICMP ping requests.
 Proxy Support: Nmap can be used through proxy servers, allowing users to scan
targets indirectly through a proxy.
 Output Formats: Nmap supports multiple output formats, including plain text, XML,
and various interactive interfaces. This flexibility makes it suitable for different
reporting and analysis needs.
 Performance Optimization: Nmap includes various performance optimization options
to control the speed and aggressiveness of scans, allowing users to balance scan speed
with network impact.

How Nmap works and Architecture?

 Host Discovery: Nmap starts by identifying which hosts are alive and
responsive on the network. It does this through techniques like ICMP
ping, TCP ping, or ARP scanning, depending on the specified options.
 Port Scanning: Once hosts are discovered, Nmap conducts port scanning to
determine which ports are open and listening on the target systems. This
involves sending TCP and UDP packets to various port numbers.
 Service Detection: For open ports, Nmap sends probes to determine the services
running on those ports. It may send specific payloads to elicit responses that
reveal information about the services and their versions.
 OS Fingerprinting: If enabled, Nmap can perform OS fingerprinting by
analyzing responses from the target systems to certain probes. This helps
in identifying the operating system.
 Scripting: The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) can execute scripts that perform
various tasks, including vulnerability scanning, banner grabbing, and custom network
enumeration, among others.
 Output and Reporting: Nmap generates reports in the specified output format,
providing information about the discovered hosts, open ports, services, and more.

Performing the Nmap tool in the lab

Output of Nmap commands