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SS7 Attack Vectors

Comprehensive analysis of SS7 attack vectors, exploitation techniques, and countermeasures. Deep dive into location tracking, call interception, SMS hijacking, fraud enablement, and service disruption attacks affecting global telecommunications infrastructure.

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Current Threat Landscape

847
Total Attacks
23
Active Threats
12
Critical Vulns
156
Affected Operators

Attack Vector Categories

Location Tracking
Exploitation of MAP operations to track subscriber locations in real-time
Critical
8 techniques
Technical Details
Complexity: Medium
Prevalence: Very High
Protocols: MAP, CAMEL
Threat Intelligence
Real-World: NSO Group Pegasus, Cellebrite UFED
Primary Targets: Mobile Subscribers, High-Value Individuals
Last Updated: 2024-11-15
Known Exploits
SendRoutingInfoForSM
AnyTimeInterrogation
ProvideSubscriberInfo
Detection Methods:
  • Unusual query patterns
  • International ATI requests
  • SRI-SM anomalies
Mitigation Strategies:
  • SMS Home Routing
  • ATI filtering
  • Source validation
Explore Location Tracking Attacks
Call Interception
Advanced techniques for intercepting and redirecting voice communications
Critical
6 techniques
Technical Details
Complexity: High
Prevalence: High
Protocols: MAP, INAP, CAMEL
Threat Intelligence
Real-World: Operation Triangulation, SS7 Call Redirection
Primary Targets: Government Officials, Business Executives
Last Updated: 2024-11-10
Known Exploits
UpdateLocation
InsertSubscriberData
Call Forwarding
Detection Methods:
  • Location pattern anomalies
  • Service modifications
  • Call routing changes
Mitigation Strategies:
  • Location validation
  • Mutual authentication
  • Service monitoring
Explore Call Interception Attacks
SMS Interception
Methods for intercepting, reading, and manipulating SMS communications
High
5 techniques
Technical Details
Complexity: Medium
Prevalence: Very High
Protocols: MAP, SMS-MT, SMS-MO
Threat Intelligence
Real-World: SMS Hijacking Attacks, 2FA Bypass
Primary Targets: Banking Customers, Cryptocurrency Users
Last Updated: 2024-11-08
Known Exploits
SendRoutingInfoForSM
ForwardSM
SMS Home Routing
Detection Methods:
  • SMS delivery anomalies
  • Routing pattern changes
  • Duplicate deliveries
Mitigation Strategies:
  • SMS encryption
  • Home routing enforcement
  • Delivery confirmation
Explore SMS Interception Attacks
Fraud Enablement
SS7 exploitation techniques that facilitate various types of telecommunications fraud
High
7 techniques
Technical Details
Complexity: Medium
Prevalence: High
Protocols: MAP, INAP, CAP
Threat Intelligence
Real-World: Premium Rate Fraud, Wangiri Attacks
Primary Targets: Mobile Operators, Subscribers
Last Updated: 2024-11-05
Known Exploits
USSD Manipulation
Call Generation
Billing Bypass
Detection Methods:
  • Unusual call patterns
  • Revenue anomalies
  • Traffic spikes
Mitigation Strategies:
  • Fraud detection systems
  • Rate limiting
  • Traffic analysis
Explore Fraud Enablement Attacks
Service Disruption
Attacks designed to disrupt mobile network services and subscriber connectivity
High
4 techniques
Technical Details
Complexity: Low
Prevalence: Medium
Protocols: MAP, HLR, VLR
Threat Intelligence
Real-World: Network Jamming, Service Denial
Primary Targets: Critical Infrastructure, Emergency Services
Last Updated: 2024-11-01
Known Exploits
Cancel Location
Purge MS
Service Blocking
Detection Methods:
  • Service availability monitoring
  • Connection failures
  • Registration issues
Mitigation Strategies:
  • Service redundancy
  • Access controls
  • Monitoring systems
Explore Service Disruption Attacks
Subscriber Data Disclosure
Unauthorized access to sensitive subscriber information stored in network databases
Critical
6 techniques
Technical Details
Complexity: Medium
Prevalence: Medium
Protocols: MAP, HLR, AuC
Threat Intelligence
Real-World: HLR Data Breaches, Subscriber Profiling
Primary Targets: Personal Information, Service Data
Last Updated: 2024-10-28
Known Exploits
SendParameters
ProvideSubscriberInfo
SendAuthenticationInfo
Detection Methods:
  • Database access logs
  • Unusual queries
  • Data exfiltration patterns
Mitigation Strategies:
  • Access controls
  • Data encryption
  • Audit logging
Explore Subscriber Data Disclosure Attacks

Recent Attack Timeline

2024-11
Advanced SS7 Location Tracking Campaign
45+ operators affected globally
Critical
2024-10
SMS Interception for 2FA Bypass
Banking sector targeted
High
2024-09
Call Redirection Infrastructure
Government communications compromised
Critical
2024-08
Premium Rate Fraud via SS7
$2.3M in fraudulent charges
Medium

Professional Security Analysis

Attack Analysis Methodology
Our systematic approach to SS7 attack vector analysis and threat assessment
1

Threat Intelligence Gathering

Continuous monitoring of SS7 attack patterns, vulnerability disclosures, and threat actor activities

2

Technical Analysis

In-depth protocol analysis, attack surface mapping, and exploitation technique documentation

3

Impact Assessment

Evaluation of attack impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability, and financial consequences

4

Countermeasure Development

Design and validation of detection mechanisms and defensive strategies

Table of Contents

Quick Statistics
Global Incidents2,340
Avg. Detection Time47 minutes
Success Rate78%
Emerging Threats5
Professional Services

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