OS fingerprinting with IPv6

Over the next years to come IPv6 will eventually replace IPv4 in private and public networks. This paper attempts to describe upcoming challenges and limitations as well as new methods of OS fingerprinting with the shift to IPv6. This includes performing network scans and finding live hosts to fingerprint. The focus of this paper will be on describing the changes made within the protocol headers in IPv6 and the consequences for OS fingerprinting. This covers known fingerprinting method with new IPv6 header fields and new methods of OS fingerprinting enabled with the IPv6 protocol. Protocol examinations also include IPv6 extension headers introduced with IPv6. Current fingerprinting and scanning tools will be listed and checked for IPv6 fingerprinting support. Finally, possible countermeasures to prevent OS fingerprinting on IPv6 protocol level will be mentioned.