Introduction
Post-pandemic use of mobile phones has become quite an upswing. Small kids, youngsters, toddlers, and any other age group cannot imagine their lives without a mobile phone. These handy gadgets have become more like a judgment that everyone has of their own.
As technology propagates so do the cyber-attacks over 5G technology. The more mobile technology is expanding so is its reach to audiences and other devices. Most of the toddlers who have half knowledge and keep rigorously watching YouTube sometimes click various such links that can allow any malicious element to hack all sensitive data or information.
In this blog, I will discuss with you the most prominent network vulnerability that threatens mobile service providers like SS7 over the past few years. Once hackers get a hand on SS7 then they can easily hack any personal information, messages, and text without the subscriber’s knowledge.
Definition and process of SS7
Signalling System No. 7 is a set of telephony signaling protocols developed in 1975, which is used to set up and tear down telephone calls in most parts of the worldwide public switched telephone network. Introduced in the mid-70 SS7 hasn’t advanced much in decades. The outdated form of the application makes it more vulnerable to hackers.
As SS7 has been successful so has been the cruciality in concern of cyber security. Because SS7 protocol is often used everywhere for connective network communication therefore it is the attacker’s best friend giving them easy access to surveillance of capabilities held by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
SS7 is used mostly to initiate the world’s public telephone calls over PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). It terminates all wireless cellular and wired connectivity.
Attacks on SS7
SS7 attacks are mobile cyber-attacks that exploit security vulnerabilities in the SS7 protocol by compromising and intercepting voice and SMS communications on a cellular network. Like a Man in the Middle attack, SS7 attacks target mobile phone communications rather than wifi transmissions.
How the attack works on Mobile Phone network
1. The authentication capability of voice and text communications is attacked through the SS7 attacks exploit. All a hacker needs are a computer running Linux to launch an SS7 attack.
2. When a hacker successfully performs a MitM phishing attack, they gain access to the same amounts and types of information that are usually reserved for the use of security services.
3. Having the ability to eavesdrop on calls and text messages, as well as device locations empowers hackers to gain valuable information.
4. An enterprise’s IoT infrastructure and critical services can be prime targets.
5. Such attacks can lead to potentially damaging breaches of confidential information as well as hijacking or disabling of mission-critical devices and services.
6. A common security precaution used by many is one of the targets of SS7 attacks. Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) via SMS using SS7 is inherently flawed as these SMS messages are unencrypted and hackers know how to intercept them. With the code from the SMS in their hand, a cyber-criminal can potentially reset your password to Google, Facebook, WhatsApp account, or even your bank account.
Measures to prevent SS7 attacks and how to fight them
Founded in 2022, SecurityGen is a global start-up focused on telecom security. We deliver a solid security foundation for driving secure Telco digital transformations and ensuring next-gen enterprise intelligent connectivity. Our extensive product and service portfolio ensures complete protection against existing and advanced telecom security threats.
Connectivity is undergoing an evolutionary change with the emergence of the 5G network. Even as Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs) focus on building higher network density, adding spectrum, and upgrading active equipment – data security continues to be of major concern. While higher encryption levels in the 5G network add security, it does not offer protection against hackers who could try and break into the system through unsecured endpoint devices. Addressing known vulnerabilities and adding new security elements are of vital importance now.
Sec Gen’s 5G Security Program is specially designed to help MNOs reinforce their security strategy and offers comprehensive guidelines for maintaining the reliability and resiliency of the 5G SA/NSA network and services.
Sec Gen understands that it is not very easy to remove or fix SS7 vulnerabilities as they are out of the jurisdiction of an enterprise or small business firm. Consumer today installs various important applications and information on their devices therefore they find it essential enough to take action to secure their devices.
SEC GEN’s ANTI TELECOM ATTACK SECURITY PROGRAM COMPLIES
· Business impact evaluation of threats– By design, telecom networks have a large attack surface. End-to-end security will be crucial for MNOs as they face challenges emerging in a multi-domain ecosystem such as 5G. As part of the 5G Security Program, we scan and test all telecom infrastructure domains.
· Clear, actionable recommendations for ongoing 5G security strategy based on comprehensive assessments. Comprehensive security audit for signaling systems like SS7/Diameter/GTP/HTTP/2 and PFCP threats: roaming and inbound traffic analysis.
· Guidance for immediate remediation of critical weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Extensive checks to evaluate network vulnerabilities against various fraud scenarios.
· Security assurance for a range of service offerings. Extensive checks to evaluate network vulnerabilities against various fraud scenarios.
· Verification of compliance with industry recommendations where applicable
Other methods to Prevent Attacks
1. Two-factor SMS authentication
2. Move away from SMS and utilize other methods offered of authenticating users which do not rely on antiquated telephone protocols like SS7.
3. Monitoring & Event Analysis- stay informed on security events in the context of what is happening on corporate servers as well as devices.
4. All businesses need to implement a defense that identifies threats and takes action before any damage occurs.
5. Regular Updates-By employing real-time analysis of endpoint security, businesses can ensure known vulnerabilities are sealed as soon as possible through software and firmware updates.
Conclusion
Sec Gen’s ACE empowers Communication Service Providers with the ability to conduct proactive inspections of the network for all known threats and offers a wide-ranging set of bypass techniques to ensure heightened security.
ACE security benefits can be availed by Choosing service options and schedules, Signing a contract, and providing test subscriber data. Also, ACE natively integrates with the 5G-ready Next-Generation Signalling Protection Platform (NGFW). This synergy of ACE and NGFW imparts enhanced security coverage by combining the inspect module with the detect and protect one.
ACE continuously reports the results of security assessments that help to cross-validate and check if signalling protection is ready and up-to-date. With ACE being available 24×7, security teams can now continuously keep a keen watch on the security posture without incurring additional expenses.
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