Shodan Reconnaissance

---
name: Shodan Reconnaissance and Pentesting
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "search for exposed devices on the internet," "perform Shodan reconnaissance," "find vulnerable services using Shodan," "scan IP ranges with Shodan," or "discover IoT devices and open ports." It provides comprehensive guidance for using Shodan's search engine, CLI, and API for penetration testing reconnaissance.
metadata:
  author: zebbern
  version: 4.1.0-fractal
---

# Shodan Reconnaissance and Pentesting

## Purpose

Provide systematic methodologies for leveraging Shodan as a reconnaissance tool during penetration testing engagements. This skill covers the Shodan web interface, command-line interface (CLI), REST API, search filters, on-demand scanning, and network monitoring capabilities for discovering exposed services, vulnerable systems, and IoT devices.

## Inputs / Prerequisites

- **Shodan Account**: Free or paid account at shodan.io
- **API Key**: Obtained from Shodan account dashboard
- **Target Information**: IP addresses, domains, or network ranges to investigate
- **Shodan CLI**: Python-based command-line tool installed
- **Authorization**: Written permission for reconnaissance on target networks

## Outputs / Deliverables

- **Asset Inventory**: List of discovered hosts, ports, and services
- **Vulnerability Report**: Identified CVEs and exposed vulnerable services
- **Banner Data**: Service banners revealing software versions
- **Network Mapping**: Geographic and organizational distribution of assets
- **Screenshot Gallery**: Visual reconnaissance of exposed interfaces
- **Exported Data**: JSON/CSV files for further analysis

## Core Workflow

## 🧠 Knowledge Modules (Fractal Skills)

### 1. [1. Setup and Configuration](./sub-skills/1-setup-and-configuration.md)
### 2. [2. Basic Host Reconnaissance](./sub-skills/2-basic-host-reconnaissance.md)
### 3. [3. Search Queries](./sub-skills/3-search-queries.md)
### 4. [4. Search Filters Reference](./sub-skills/4-search-filters-reference.md)
### 5. [5. On-Demand Scanning](./sub-skills/5-on-demand-scanning.md)
### 6. [6. Statistics and Analysis](./sub-skills/6-statistics-and-analysis.md)
### 7. [7. Network Monitoring](./sub-skills/7-network-monitoring.md)
### 8. [8. REST API Usage](./sub-skills/8-rest-api-usage.md)
### 9. [Essential CLI Commands](./sub-skills/essential-cli-commands.md)
### 10. [Common Search Queries](./sub-skills/common-search-queries.md)
### 11. [Useful Filter Combinations](./sub-skills/useful-filter-combinations.md)
### 12. [Credit System](./sub-skills/credit-system.md)
### 13. [Operational Boundaries](./sub-skills/operational-boundaries.md)
### 14. [Data Freshness](./sub-skills/data-freshness.md)
### 15. [Legal Requirements](./sub-skills/legal-requirements.md)
### 16. [Example 1: Organization Reconnaissance](./sub-skills/example-1-organization-reconnaissance.md)
### 17. [Example 2: Vulnerable Service Discovery](./sub-skills/example-2-vulnerable-service-discovery.md)
### 18. [Example 3: IoT Device Discovery](./sub-skills/example-3-iot-device-discovery.md)
### 19. [Example 4: SSL/TLS Certificate Analysis](./sub-skills/example-4-ssltls-certificate-analysis.md)
### 20. [Example 5: Python Automation Script](./sub-skills/example-5-python-automation-script.md)
### 21. [Example 6: Network Range Assessment](./sub-skills/example-6-network-range-assessment.md)