MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning

Zhirui Zhang; Dave Towey; Zhihao Ying; Yifan Zhang; Zhi Quan Zhou

doi:10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010

MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning

Zhirui Zhang
, Dave Towey
, Zhihao Ying
, Yifan Zhang
, Zhi Quan Zhou

School of Computer Science

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Network scanning tools play an important role in network information gathering, which is the first step in penetration testing. They are tools that can help both hackers and security auditors to detect the hosts in the network environment. Choice of scanner should take consideration of both the speed and the effectiveness of the scanner. In this paper, we report on an experience of using Metamorphic Testing to test two scanners, Nmap and Masscan. Seven Metamorphic Relations for network scanners are presented, and an investigation into their application is reported. The results show the potential for Metamorphic Testing to evaluate and enable comparisons of scanners, with possible problems identified in both scanners under test.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	17-23
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9781665444644
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010
Publication status	Published - Jun 2021
Event	6th IEEE/ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021 - Virtual, Online, Spain Duration: 2 Jun 2021 → …

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021

Conference

Conference	6th IEEE/ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Virtual, Online
Period	2/06/21 → …

Free Keywords

Masscan
Metamorphic testing
Nmap
metamorphic relation
network scanners

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Information Systems
Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Library and Information Sciences
Artificial Intelligence

Access to Document

10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010

Cite this

Zhang, Z., Towey, D., Ying, Z., Zhang, Y., & Zhou, Z. Q. (2021). MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning. In Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021 (pp. 17-23). Article 9477667 (Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010

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title = "MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning",

abstract = "Network scanning tools play an important role in network information gathering, which is the first step in penetration testing. They are tools that can help both hackers and security auditors to detect the hosts in the network environment. Choice of scanner should take consideration of both the speed and the effectiveness of the scanner. In this paper, we report on an experience of using Metamorphic Testing to test two scanners, Nmap and Masscan. Seven Metamorphic Relations for network scanners are presented, and an investigation into their application is reported. The results show the potential for Metamorphic Testing to evaluate and enable comparisons of scanners, with possible problems identified in both scanners under test.",

keywords = "Masscan, Metamorphic testing, Nmap, metamorphic relation, network scanners",

author = "Zhirui Zhang and Dave Towey and Zhihao Ying and Yifan Zhang and Zhou, \{Zhi Quan\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 IEEE.; 6th IEEE/ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021 ; Conference date: 02-06-2021",

year = "2021",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010",

language = "English",

series = "Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.",

pages = "17--23",

booktitle = "Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021",

address = "United States",

}

Zhang, Z, Towey, D, Ying, Z, Zhang, Y & Zhou, ZQ 2021, MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning. in Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021., 9477667, Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 17-23, 6th IEEE/ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021, Virtual, Online, Spain, 2/06/21. https://doi.org/10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010

MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning. / Zhang, Zhirui; Towey, Dave; Ying, Zhihao et al.
Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2021. p. 17-23 9477667 (Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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T1 - MT4NS

T2 - 6th IEEE/ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021

AU - Zhang, Zhirui

AU - Towey, Dave

AU - Ying, Zhihao

AU - Zhang, Yifan

AU - Zhou, Zhi Quan

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - Network scanning tools play an important role in network information gathering, which is the first step in penetration testing. They are tools that can help both hackers and security auditors to detect the hosts in the network environment. Choice of scanner should take consideration of both the speed and the effectiveness of the scanner. In this paper, we report on an experience of using Metamorphic Testing to test two scanners, Nmap and Masscan. Seven Metamorphic Relations for network scanners are presented, and an investigation into their application is reported. The results show the potential for Metamorphic Testing to evaluate and enable comparisons of scanners, with possible problems identified in both scanners under test.

AB - Network scanning tools play an important role in network information gathering, which is the first step in penetration testing. They are tools that can help both hackers and security auditors to detect the hosts in the network environment. Choice of scanner should take consideration of both the speed and the effectiveness of the scanner. In this paper, we report on an experience of using Metamorphic Testing to test two scanners, Nmap and Masscan. Seven Metamorphic Relations for network scanners are presented, and an investigation into their application is reported. The results show the potential for Metamorphic Testing to evaluate and enable comparisons of scanners, with possible problems identified in both scanners under test.

KW - Masscan

KW - Metamorphic testing

KW - Nmap

KW - metamorphic relation

KW - network scanners

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DO - 10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85114281412

T3 - Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021

SP - 17

EP - 23

BT - Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Y2 - 2 June 2021

ER -

Zhang Z, Towey D, Ying Z, Zhang Y, Zhou ZQ. MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning. In Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2021. p. 17-23. 9477667. (Proceedings - 2021 IEEE/ACM 6th International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2021). doi: 10.1109/MET52542.2021.00010

MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Free Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Addressing the performance challenges of metamorphic testing

Validating autonomous driving: metamorphic testing for autonomous vehicles and simulators

Cite this

MT4NS: Metamorphic Testing for Network Scanning

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Free Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Student theses

Addressing the performance challenges of metamorphic testing

Validating autonomous driving: metamorphic testing for autonomous vehicles and simulators

Cite this