Yes, NMAP (Network Mapper) can be used to identify an application’s version, among its other functionalities. NMAP is a free and open-source utility that system administrators, IT professionals, and hackers commonly use for network discovery and security auditing. It uses IP packets to figure out more about the network’s structure, including what devices are being used, what operating systems are being run, what application versions are installed, and what firewalls are in use.
More pertinently, NMAP’s version detection feature can determine not merely the service running on a port but also the precise software version (and in some cases, details about device types and operating systems). This technique is based on the TCP/IP stack fingerprinting method but focuses more on the application layer, utilizing both open specifications and some unusual or service-specific attributes.
For example, version scanning begins by performing a regular port scan. If an open port is detected, NMAP tries to establish what service is running on the port. Then it makes further probe requests to the port and uses the responses to its probes to determine the application version. Detailed information is stored and distributed in a file named nmap-service-probes, which consists of thousands of probe responses from diverse services.
The version detection feature is incorporated in the NMAP command line by using the -sV option. For instance, if one needs to perform a version scan against a host, the command would be “nmap -sV [hostname/IP]”. The NMAP tool would provide the application’s version or service running on that particular port.
NMAP’s capabilities, including its version scan, can provide valuable insight for network security assessments. It can aid in identifying potentially outdated software versions that might be susceptible to specific security vulnerabilities. However, NMAP should be used responsibly and legally, and typically only with proper permissions in a professional setting.
This information is based on well-known and recognized resources like the official NMAP documentation and NMAP Network Scanning, the official guide to the NMAP Project. Both these sources provide extensive details about the use of this tool, with specific references to its application version identification.
Sources:
1. “NMAP Network Scanning” by Gordon Lyon, book published in June 2009.
2. NMAP official documentation (https://nmap.org/book/vscan.html).
3. “Revealing Network Application Version using NMAP – Version Detection” published on Infosec Institute (https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/topic/nmap-cheat-sheet/#gref).
