Radio RANSecurity Attacks

Master advanced Radio Access Network security testing across all cellular generations. From 2G GSM to 5G NR, learn comprehensive wireless attack methodologies and defense strategies.

Critical Infrastructure
Wireless Networks
Cellular Security

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Cellular Generation Attacks

2G (GSM/GPRS)
Frequency: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Critical Risk

Key Vulnerabilities:

  • A5/1 encryption weakness
  • IMSI catching
  • SMS interception
  • Call interception

Attack Techniques:

  • IMSI catcher deployment
  • A5/1 cracking
  • SMS spoofing
  • Location tracking

Testing Tools:

  • OsmocomBB
  • Airprobe
  • gr-gsm
  • USRP
Learn More
3G (UMTS/HSPA)
Frequency: 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz
High Risk

Key Vulnerabilities:

  • KASUMI algorithm flaws
  • Authentication bypass
  • Downgrade attacks
  • Location privacy

Attack Techniques:

  • 3G IMSI catcher
  • KASUMI cryptanalysis
  • Bidding down attacks
  • Location area tracking

Testing Tools:

  • srsRAN
  • OpenBTS-UMTS
  • USRP B210
  • BladeRF
Learn More
4G (LTE/LTE-A)
Frequency: 700/800/850/900/1800/1900/2100/2600 MHz
High Risk

Key Vulnerabilities:

  • Protocol implementation flaws
  • Rogue base station
  • DoS attacks
  • Privacy leaks

Attack Techniques:

  • LTE IMSI catcher
  • Attach/Detach DoS
  • Protocol fuzzing
  • Tracking area updates

Testing Tools:

  • srsRAN
  • OpenAirInterface
  • USRP X310
  • LimeSDR
Learn More
5G (NR/SA/NSA)
Frequency: 600MHz-71GHz (FR1/FR2)
Medium Risk

Key Vulnerabilities:

  • Initial access vulnerabilities
  • Slice isolation issues
  • Edge computing attacks
  • Protocol complexity

Attack Techniques:

  • 5G IMSI catcher
  • Network slicing attacks
  • Edge node compromise
  • Massive MIMO attacks

Testing Tools:

  • Open5GS
  • srsRAN 5G
  • USRP X410
  • 5G testbeds
Learn More

RAN Attack Categories

IMSI Catching
Rogue base station attacks to capture subscriber identities

Attack Techniques:

  • Fake BTS deployment
  • Identity request attacks
  • Location area spoofing

Countermeasures:

  • IMSI encryption
  • Authentication verification
  • Network monitoring
Eavesdropping
Passive and active interception of communications

Attack Techniques:

  • Traffic analysis
  • Encryption breaking
  • Protocol exploitation

Countermeasures:

  • Strong encryption
  • Perfect forward secrecy
  • Traffic obfuscation
Jamming & DoS
Service disruption and denial of service attacks

Attack Techniques:

  • RF jamming
  • Protocol flooding
  • Resource exhaustion

Countermeasures:

  • Anti-jamming techniques
  • Rate limiting
  • Redundancy
Location Tracking
Unauthorized tracking of mobile device locations

Attack Techniques:

  • Cell tower triangulation
  • Timing advance analysis
  • Paging attacks

Countermeasures:

  • Location privacy protocols
  • Anonymous authentication
  • Timing randomization

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RAN Security Testing

Testing Environment Setup

Hardware Requirements:

  • Software Defined Radio (USRP, BladeRF, LimeSDR)
  • Appropriate antennas for target frequencies
  • High-performance computing platform
  • Spectrum analyzer (optional)

Software Stack:

  • GNU Radio framework
  • srsRAN or OpenAirInterface
  • Generation-specific tools (gr-gsm, srsLTE, etc.)
  • Protocol analyzers and decoders

Generation-Specific Resources

2G Attacks
GSM/GPRS security testing and exploitation
3G Attacks
UMTS/HSPA security vulnerabilities and testing
4G Attacks
LTE/LTE-A security testing methodologies
5G Attacks
5G NR security assessment and testing

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