Significant Threat
IP 185.218.138.11 is a high-risk address linked to active port-scanning reconnaissance targeting network infrastructure, with 1,446 abuse reports filed against it across a three-month window in 2026, indicating persistent hostile probing activity that poses a credible threat to exposed services.
The activity data paints a concerning picture of sustained scanning behavior. Operating from a United States network registered as AS205997 under the operator Vlad Cojuhari, this IP generated reports from 20 automated honeypot sensors over approximately four months, with an activity frequency rated 8/10 and a detection confidence of 91 percent. The Ciscoasa port scan and probe pattern documented in recent reports specifically targets Cisco adaptive security appliances, suggesting deliberate reconnaissance against perimeter security hardware rather than opportunistic scanning of random hosts.
Port scanning represents the initial reconnaissance phase of most network intrusions, where attackers systematically identify open services and potential entry points before launching targeted exploitation. The Ciscoasa-specific focus of this scanning activity indicates preparation for potential attacks against network security appliances, which if compromised could provide attackers with deep access to internal network segments. The volume of reports and sustained activity over several months demonstrates persistence that distinguishes this from transient or accidental scanning.
Site operators should immediately review firewall rules to restrict unnecessary inbound connections and consider implementing geo-based or ASN-based blocking for known scanning sources. Deploying rate-limiting rules using tools such as fail2ban can automatically mitigate repeated probing attempts. Operators of Cisco ASA devices should ensure firmware is current and verify that connection attempt thresholds and intrusion detection signatures are configured to flag and block systematic port-scanning patterns. Ongoing monitoring of logs for reconnaissance activity originating from this IP address will provide early warning of any escalation in targeting.