Download Passive System Fingerprinting using Network Client Applications

Passive target fingerprinting involves the utilization of network traffic between two hosts by a third system to identify the types of systems being used. Because no data is sent to either system by the monitoring party, detection approaches the impossible. Methods which rely solely on the IP options present in normal traffic are limited in the accuracy about the targets. Further inspection is also needed to determine avenues of vulnerability, as well. We describe a method to rapidly identify target operating systems and version, as well as vectors of attack, based on data sent by client applications. While simplistic, it is robust. The accuracy of this method is also quite high in most cases. Four methods of fingerprinting a system are presented, with sample data provided.