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StarkMan

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Shodan vs ZoomEye Query Syntax Comparison

#cybersecurity #osint

This article provides a side-by-side comparison of the most common query operators in Shodan vs the latest syntax in ZoomEye.

When it comes to cyberspace search engines, Shodan and ZoomEye are two of the most widely used platforms.

  • Shodan is often described as “the search engine for the Internet of Things,” indexing banners and metadata from connected devices worldwide.
  • ZoomEye, is another powerful search engine for internet-wide scanning, particularly popular in the security research community.

Both platforms allow analysts, penetration testers, and defenders to search for exposed services, vulnerable hosts, and network fingerprints.
However, their query syntax is different — and mixing them up can lead to zero results or misleading queries.

1. Comparison Table

2. Example Queries

Find exposed RDP (3389) assets

Shodan: port:3389 ZoomEye: port=3389
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Find RDP servers in the US

Shodan: port:3389 country:US ZoomEye: port=3389 && country="US"
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Search for Log4Shell exposure

Shodan: (no direct CVE filter, need to search service/version) ZoomEye: vul.cve="CVE-2021–44228"
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3. Practical Use Cases

Find Internet-exposed webcams

Shodan: title:"webcamXP" port:8080 ZoomEye: title="webcamXP" && port=8080`
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Discover SSL certificates issued to a company

Shodan: (limited - search by org or hostname) ZoomEye: ssl.cert.issuer.cn="DigiCert Inc"
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Locate vulnerable Apache servers

Shodan: product:Apache version:2.4.49 ZoomEye: app="Apache httpd" && version="2.4.49"
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Find industrial control systems (ICS) devices

Shodan: port:502 modbus ZoomEye: port=502 && service="modbus"
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4. Key Takeaways

  • Shodan is simpler and effective for quick searches.
  • ZoomEye provides richer filters (certificates, CVEs, hashes, bug bounty tags, time filters).
  • Always use the correct syntax style: filter:value for Shodan vs. field=value for ZoomEye.
  • Mastering both platforms gives analysts a stronger toolkit for reconnaissance, attack surface monitoring, and threat hunting.

5. Further Reading

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