Chapter 05: Port Scanning
30. One of the limitations when using “ping sweeps” is that many network administrators configure nodes not to
respond to ICMP Echo Requests. What type of ICMP Echo message is being disabled by these administrators?
31. Why is it important for you as a security tester to understand and be able to create scripts?
Some tools might need to be modified to better suit your needs as a security tester. Creating a customized
script-a computer program that automates a task that takes too much time to perform manually-can be a time-
saving solution. Fping can use an input file to perform ping sweeps. Creating an input file manually with
thousands of IP addresses isn’t worth the time. Instead, most security testers rely on their basic programming
skills to write a script for creating an input file.
32. Why is it important for a security tester to be able to use Nmap?
Nmap has become one of the most popular port scanners and adds new features constantly, such as OS
detection and fast multiple-probe ping scanning. Nmap also has a GUI front end called Zenmap that makes
working with complex options easier. Nmap has been enhanced over the years because, like many other
security tools, it’s open source; if bugs are found, users can offer suggestions for correcting them.
33. Explain why an attacker typically uses an ACK scan to bypass a firewall?
ACK scan-Attackers typically use ACK scans to get past a firewall or other filtering device. A filtering device
looks for the SYN packet, the first packet in the three-way handshake, that the ACK packet was part of.
Remember this packet order: SYN, SYN/ACK, and ACK. If the attacked port returns an RST packet, the
packet filter was fooled, or there’s no packet-filtering device. In either case, the attacked port is considered to
be “unfiltered.”
34. Which ports should security professionals scan when doing a test?
As a security tester, you need to know which ports attackers are going after so those ports can be closed or
protected. Security professionals must scan all ports when doing a test, not just the well-known ports Many
computer programs use port numbers outside the range of well-known ports. For example, pcAnywhere
operates on ports 65301, 22, 5631, and 5632. A hacker who discovers that port 65301 is open might want to
check the information at the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Website for a possible vulnerability in
pcAnywhere. After a hacker discovers an open service, finding a vulnerability or exploit isn’t difficult.
35. Why is port scanning useful for hackers?
Port scanning helps you answer questions about open ports and services by enabling you to quickly scan
thousands or even tens of thousands of IP addresses. Many port-scanning tools produce reports of their
findings, and some give you best-guess assessments of which OS is running on a system. Most, if not all,
scanning programs report open ports, closed ports, and filtered ports in a matter of seconds. When a Web
server needs to communicate with applications or other computers, for example, port 80 is opened. An open
port allows access to applications and can be vulnerable to an attack. A closed port does not allow entry or
access to a service. For instance, if port 80 is closed on a Web server, users wouldn’t be able to access Web
sites. A port reported as filtered might indicate that a firewall is being used to allow specified traffic in or out
of the network.
36. How does a SYN scan work?