IT Forensics · OSINT

Forensic documentation of systems exposed via Shodan – Capturing publicly visible infrastructure in a forensically traceable manner

Shodan continuously indexes publicly accessible, internet-connected devices and services, thereby enabling organisations to identify which of their systems have been publicly exposed, either currently or in the past.

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This information may be relevant in the context of cyber security investigations to identify potential vulnerabilities or security flaws that have already come to light.

Why LanCologne?

Since its foundation, LanCologne has specialised in professional IT forensics. Our staff have decades of experience in the field of information technology and assist companies, solicitors, private individuals and, on a regular basis, the courts in the technical investigation of complex digital matters.

Our OSINT investigations are always carried out as a complementary component to existing IT forensic, legal or internal corporate enquiries. Every step of the investigation and every piece of digital evidence found is documented and, where technically possible, archived to ensure traceability even if the original online content is subsequently altered or deleted.

Our services

We use Shodan to investigate publicly accessible systems belonging to a relevant organisation or infrastructure and document the results in a manner that is forensically traceable.

Typical areas of application

•Documentation of corporate systems in the public eye
•Supplementing cyber security incident investigations
•Evidence of security vulnerabilities that existed prior to an incident
•Support in investigating attackers’ methods of access
•Judicial and non-judicial expert reports
•Collaboration with IT security teams

This is how a shodan assessment works

Shodan is used to search for publicly accessible systems belonging to the relevant organisation. Any services, software versions and known indicators of vulnerability that are found are documented and, where possible, dated.

Why is the Shodan investigation relevant from a forensic perspective?

Evidence of a vulnerable system component that was already publicly exposed prior to an incident can provide important clues as to the attack vector.

Documenting the publicly visible attack surface also facilitates the subsequent assessment of a cyber security incident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Shodan search alter the systems being examined?+
No, we analyse only publicly available indexing data that has already been passively collected by Shodan, without actively accessing third-party systems ourselves.
Does Shodan always display the current system status?+
No, indexing takes place at regular, but not continuous, intervals; we take this into account when dating the findings.
Can this research identify every vulnerability within an organisation?+
No, Shodan only identifies publicly accessible, indexed systems; internal or non-exposed systems are excluded from this search.

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LanCologne – IT Forensics OSINT Cologne

Do you require a professional OSINT investigation into „Forensically documenting systems exposed via Shodan"? LanCologne can assist you with the transparent, documented analysis of publicly available digital sources to support your IT forensic, legal or internal corporate enquiries.

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