2nd International Workshop on 5G Security

Research Article

Privacy in LTE networks

  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.18-6-2016.2264393,
        author={Siddharth Prakash Rao and Bhanu Teja Kotte and Silke Holtmanns},
        title={Privacy in LTE networks},
        proceedings={2nd International Workshop on 5G Security},
        publisher={ACM},
        proceedings_a={IW5GS},
        year={2016},
        month={12},
        keywords={diameter interconnection location tracking security privacy ss7},
        doi={10.4108/eai.18-6-2016.2264393}
    }
    
  • Siddharth Prakash Rao
    Bhanu Teja Kotte
    Silke Holtmanns
    Year: 2016
    Privacy in LTE networks
    IW5GS
    ACM
    DOI: 10.4108/eai.18-6-2016.2264393
Siddharth Prakash Rao,*, Bhanu Teja Kotte1, Silke Holtmanns2
  • 1: Aalto University/Bell Labs Nokia
  • 2: Bell Labs Nokia
*Contact email: siddharth.rao@aalto.fi

Abstract

Ever since the public revelation of global surveillance and the exploits targeting the mobile communication backened, the general awareness of user privacy in telecommunication industry has increased. Misusing the technical features of mobile core network technology - specifically the Signalling System 7 (SS7) has disclosed numerous ways to locate the mobile users, intercept the voice calls or text messages. These events had lead the mobile network operator to focus more on protecting the privacy of user meta-data and signalling communication.

With relatively more security and privacy features, Diameter protocol - the successor of SS7 in Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks is believed to guarantee more protection to end-users. In this paper, we argue that the default considerations of Diameter are not sufficient enough to offer privacy to the mobile user, particularly when it comes to location tracking. We will discuss the possibilities of persistence of location tracking attacks from SS7 to Diameter. We also recommend the mobile network operators to review their security mechanisms based on the countermeasures that we present. In short, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of Diameter protocol to claim - "Without the appropriate measures, the Diameter-based LTE networks are as vulnerable as SS7-based GSM networks at least in terms of location tracking".