Many security holes are dependent on OS version.
FIN packet (or any packet without an ACK or SYN flag) to open port - no response (RFC793) or RST packet for windows
TCP ISN Sampling
TCP Options
– generally optional, so not all hosts implement them.
– send a query with an option set, the target generally shows support of the option by setting it on the reply.
– can stuff a whole bunch of options on one packet to test everything at once.
Welcome messages/banners on by default
– payfonez> telnet ftp.netscape.com 21
Trying 207.200.74.26 ...
Connected to ftp.netscape.com.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 ftp29 FTP server (UNIX(r) System V Release 4.0) ready.
SYST 215 UNIX Type: L8 Version: SUNOS
Avoidance :
– Uniform behavior across OSs by sticking to RFCs
– No escape as packets used are legitimate