SIM Card Exploitation Techniques

SIM Card Exploitation Techniques

Advanced technical guide to SIM card exploitation methods, tools, and countermeasures for security professionals

Exploitation Code
Mitigation Strategies
Detection Methods

Understanding SIM Card Exploitation

SIM card exploitation techniques target vulnerabilities in hardware, software, cryptographic implementations, and provisioning processes. These attacks can lead to unauthorized access, identity theft, communications interception, and account takeovers.

This technical guide provides detailed information on various SIM card exploitation techniques, including code examples, detection methods, and mitigation strategies. The content is intended for security professionals, researchers, and telecommunications experts for educational and defensive purposes.

SIM Card Exploitation Techniques

SIMjacker Exploitation
Exploiting S@T Browser functionality through binary SMS messages
Remote Access
High Risk

Attack Impact

Remote surveillance, location tracking, SMS interception, and device manipulation without user awareness

Required Access

Remote Access

References

  • References not available
COMP128v1 Key Extraction
Extracting the secret Ki key from SIM cards using COMP128v1 algorithm weaknesses
Physical Access
High Risk

Attack Impact

Complete compromise of SIM authentication, enabling SIM cloning and unauthorized network access

Required Access

Physical Access

References

  • References not available
OTA Security Bypass
Exploiting weak Over-the-Air update mechanisms to manipulate SIM data
Remote Access
High Risk

Attack Impact

Remote modification of SIM data, installation of malicious applications, and unauthorized access to subscriber information

Required Access

Remote Access

References

  • References not available
WIB Application Exploitation
Targeting the Wireless Internet Browser application on SIM cards
Remote Access
High Risk

Attack Impact

Remote execution of commands, browser manipulation, and unauthorized access to device functions

Required Access

Remote Access

References

  • References not available
COMP128v1 SIM Card Ki Extraction
Exploits weaknesses in the COMP128v1 algorithm to extract the Ki secret key from a SIM card.
Physical access to the SIM card and a smart card reader
High Risk

Attack Impact

This exploit allows an attacker with physical access to a SIM card to extract the secret Ki key, which can then be used to clone the SIM card, intercept calls and SMS, or perform other identity theft.

Required Access

Physical access to the SIM card and a smart card reader

References

  • Briceno, Goldberg, Wagner, "Implementation of the GSM A3A8 algorithm" (ISAAC Research Group)
  • RFC 6649 - Deprecating the Use of COMP128v1
SIMjacker Exploitation Tool
Demonstrates the SIMjacker attack which exploits the S@T Browser on SIM cards to perform unauthorized operations.
Ability to send SMS messages to the target and a GSM modem or SMS gateway
High Risk

Attack Impact

This exploit allows attackers to perform various unauthorized operations on vulnerable SIM cards, including location tracking, sending SMS messages without user knowledge, and executing USSD codes.

Required Access

Ability to send SMS messages to the target and a GSM modem or SMS gateway

References

  • AdaptiveMobile Security - SIMjacker Technical Paper
  • GSMA FS.04 - SIM Security Guidelines
SIM Card Side-Channel Power Analysis
Extracts cryptographic keys from SIM cards by analyzing power consumption patterns during cryptographic operations.
Physical access to the SIM card and specialized power analysis equipment
High Risk

Attack Impact

This sophisticated attack can extract cryptographic keys from SIM cards without leaving evidence of tampering, enabling SIM cloning and complete compromise of mobile communications.

Required Access

Physical access to the SIM card and specialized power analysis equipment

References

  • Kocher, Jaffe, Jun, "Differential Power Analysis" (Crypto '99)
  • Mangard, Oswald, Popp, "Power Analysis Attacks: Revealing the Secrets of Smart Cards"
SIM Swapping Social Engineering Attack
Uses social engineering to convince mobile carrier employees to transfer a victim's phone number to an attacker-controlled SIM card.
Information about the victim and ability to contact their mobile carrier
High Risk

Attack Impact

SIM swapping allows attackers to take over a victim's phone number, intercept SMS-based two-factor authentication, and gain unauthorized access to email, financial, cryptocurrency, and social media accounts.

Required Access

Information about the victim and ability to contact their mobile carrier

References

  • FTC - Phone Number Hijacking and SIM Card Swapping
  • NIST SP 800-63B - Digital Identity Guidelines (Authentication and Lifecycle Management)
SIM Card Fault Injection Attack
Uses precisely timed voltage glitches to disrupt SIM card operations and bypass security controls.
Physical access to the SIM card and specialized fault injection equipment
High Risk

Attack Impact

Fault injection can bypass PIN verification, access protected files, extract sensitive data, and manipulate SIM card security controls, potentially leading to complete compromise of the SIM card.

Required Access

Physical access to the SIM card and specialized fault injection equipment

References

  • Bar-El et al., "The Sorcerer's Apprentice Guide to Fault Attacks"
  • Skorobogatov, "Fault Attacks on Secure Chips: From Glitch to Flash"
eSIM Profile Hijacking
Exploits vulnerabilities in the Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) process to hijack eSIM profiles.
Network access and ability to intercept eSIM provisioning traffic
High Risk

Attack Impact

eSIM profile hijacking allows attackers to clone a victim's mobile identity without physical access to their device, enabling call/SMS interception, account takeovers, and bypassing SMS-based authentication.

Required Access

Network access and ability to intercept eSIM provisioning traffic

References

  • GSMA SGP.22 - RSP Technical Specification
  • NIST SP 800-57 - Recommendation for Key Management

Comprehensive Defensive Recommendations

Technical Controls
  • Cryptographic Upgrades:

    Replace legacy algorithms with MILENAGE or TUAK, implement proper key management

  • Hardware Security:

    Deploy SIM cards with side-channel protections and tamper resistance

  • Network Filtering:

    Implement binary SMS filtering and OTA command inspection

Procedural Controls
  • Identity Verification:

    Enhance subscriber verification for SIM swaps and account changes

  • Security Monitoring:

    Implement anomaly detection for authentication and OTA activities

  • Security Audits:

    Regularly audit SIM card security and provisioning processes

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