Automate external attack surface mapping with Shodan API and DNS lookups

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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

The Bug Bounty Target Recon n8n workflow is a powerful automation tool for security professionals and ethical hackers. It efficiently automates the time consuming process of external attack surface...

Best for

SecOps automation workflows
advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.wait, n8n-nodes-base.googlesheets

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Sean Birmingham.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Automate external attack surface mapping with Shodan API and DNS lookups
Workflow name: Automate external attack surface mapping with Shodan API and DNS lookups

The Bug Bounty Target Recon n8n workflow is a powerful automation tool for security professionals and ethical hackers.

It efficiently automates the time-consuming process of external attack surface mapping.

By taking a domain, the workflow performs DNS Lookups to identify all associated IP addresses, and then utilizes the Shodan API to query:

Detailed service banners
Open ports
Technologies
Known vulnerabilities

This system delivers crucial, organized OSINT data, saving the user hours of manual scripting and reconnaissance, and providing a clear, actionable map of a target's exposed infrastructure.

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - START – Set target domain

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 2 - When clicking 'Test workflow'

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger - manualTrigger
Config choices: Version 1

Block 3 - Set Target Domain1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices: Version 3

Block 4 - DNS lookup (Google)

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 5 - DNS Lookup (Google)1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices: Version 4

Block 6 - Extract DNS Records1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices: Version 2

Block 7 - Filter only IP records

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 8 - Filter: Only IP records1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices: Version 1

Block 9 - Prepare IP Item1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices: Version 3

Block 10 - Rate-limit before Shodan

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 11 - Delay (rate-limit)

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.wait - wait
Config choices: Version 1

Block 12 - Shodan Search by IP

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices: Version 4

Block 13 - Parse Shodan JSON

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 14 - Parse Shodan Data

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices: Version 2

Block 15 - Write results

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 16 - Log to Google Sheets1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
Config choices: Version 4

Block 17 - Notify: Results (console log)

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices: Version 3

Block 18 - Error catcher

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 19 - Error Handler (catch)

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.noOp - noOp
Config choices: Version 1

Block 20 - Sticky Note

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Automate external attack surface mapping with Shodan API and DNS lookups
Complexity	advanced
Nodes	20
Categories	SecOps
Author	Sean Birmingham
Published	12 Nov 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/10740/10740.json as the source template for this automation.
2. Import the template into n8n

Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.
3. Configure credentials and variables

Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.
4. Test with sample data

Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.
5. Activate and monitor

Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Download workflow JSON Original n8n.io source SecOps workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Automate external attack surface mapping with Shodan API and DNS lookups do?

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your SecOps use case.

Sean Birmingham

7 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.stickynote n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger n8n-nodes-base.set n8n-nodes-base.httprequest n8n-nodes-base.code n8n-nodes-base.if n8n-nodes-base.wait n8n-nodes-base.googlesheets

Complexity

advanced

Published 12 Nov 2025

Likes 0

View on n8n.io Download Workflow

Install path: /data/workflows/10740/10740.json

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Automate external attack surface mapping with Shodan API and DNS lookups

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - START – Set target domain

Block 2 - When clicking 'Test workflow'

Block 3 - Set Target Domain1

Block 4 - DNS lookup (Google)

Block 5 - DNS Lookup (Google)1

Block 6 - Extract DNS Records1

Block 7 - Filter only IP records

Block 8 - Filter: Only IP records1

Block 9 - Prepare IP Item1

Block 10 - Rate-limit before Shodan

Block 11 - Delay (rate-limit)

Block 12 - Shodan Search by IP

Block 13 - Parse Shodan JSON

Block 14 - Parse Shodan Data

Block 15 - Write results

Block 16 - Log to Google Sheets1

Block 17 - Notify: Results (console log)

Block 18 - Error catcher

Block 19 - Error Handler (catch)

Block 20 - Sticky Note

3. Summary Table

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

2. Import the template into n8n

3. Configure credentials and variables

4. Test with sample data

5. Activate and monitor

5. General Notes & Resources

Frequently asked questions