XMap: Fast Internet-wide IPv4 and IPv6 Network Scanner

TL;DR

XMap is a pioneering, open-source network scanner enabling rapid, large-scale IPv4 and IPv6 internet research, significantly impacting academia, industry, and government since 2020.

Contribution

It introduces the first fast IPv6 internet-wide scanning tool, advancing research capabilities and influencing security practices and RFC implementations.

Findings

Supported the first fast IPv6 internet-wide scans in 2020

Referenced in 52 research papers across top-tier venues

Contributed to RFC implementations and vulnerability discoveries

Abstract

XMap is an open-source network scanner designed for performing fast Internet-wide IPv4 and IPv6 network research scanning. XMap was initially developed as the research artifact of a paper published at 2021 IEEE/IFIP International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks (DSN '21) and then made available on GitHub. XMap is the first tool to support fast Internet-wide IPv6 network scanning in 2020. During the last five years, XMap has made substantial impact in academia, industry, and government. It has been referenced in 52 research papers (15 published at top-tier security venues and 11 in leading networking societies), received over 450 GitHub stars, featured in multiple news outlets, and deployed or recommended by international companies up to date. Additionally, XMap has contributed to the implementation of RFC documents and the discovery of various vulnerabilities. This paper provides fundamental details about XMap, its architecture, and its impact.