VoLTE Security Attacks & IMS Vulnerabilities

Comprehensive guide to VoLTE (Voice over LTE) security vulnerabilities, IMS attacks, and 4G/5G voice exploitation techniques. Learn about SIP registration hijacking, RTP manipulation, and Diameter interface exploitation.

Critical Infrastructure Warning

VoLTE is the voice infrastructure for 4G/5G networks. These attacks can impact emergency services and critical communications. All techniques described are for authorized security testing only.
Total Attacks
6
Critical Severity
2
High Severity
3
Categories
6

Attack Categories

Authentication
1 attack
Media Plane
1 attack
Signaling
1 attack
Identity
1 attack
Emergency Services
1 attack
QoS
1 attack

VoLTE Attack Vectors

SIP Registration Hijacking
AuthenticationHigh
Attackers intercept and manipulate SIP REGISTER messages to hijack user registrations in the IMS core.

Impact:

Service disruption, call interception, identity theft

Prerequisites:

Network accessSIP protocol knowledgeIMS architecture understanding

Mitigation:

  • •Implement SIP authentication mechanisms
  • •Use TLS for SIP signaling
  • •Deploy network segmentation
  • •Monitor for anomalous registration patterns

Tools:

SIPViciousSIPpWiresharkCustom SIP tools
RTP Stream Manipulation
Media PlaneHigh
Manipulation of Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) streams to inject malicious audio or cause service disruption.

Impact:

Call quality degradation, audio injection, eavesdropping

Prerequisites:

Network accessRTP protocol knowledgeMedia gateway access

Mitigation:

  • •Implement SRTP encryption
  • •Use authenticated RTP
  • •Deploy media plane security
  • •Monitor RTP stream integrity

Tools:

RTPBreakRTPInjectScapyCustom RTP tools
Diameter Interface Exploitation
SignalingCritical
Exploitation of Diameter protocol vulnerabilities in IMS interfaces (Cx, Dx, Sh) to access subscriber data.

Impact:

Subscriber data theft, service manipulation, network compromise

Prerequisites:

Diameter protocol accessIMS interface knowledgeHSS connectivity

Mitigation:

  • •Implement Diameter security extensions
  • •Use IPSec for Diameter transport
  • •Deploy access control mechanisms
  • •Monitor Diameter traffic anomalies

Tools:

Diameter test toolsCustom Diameter clientsProtocol analyzers
IMS Core Spoofing
IdentityHigh
Spoofing IMS core network elements to intercept and manipulate VoLTE communications.

Impact:

Call interception, identity theft, service disruption

Prerequisites:

Network positioningIMS architecture knowledgeCertificate manipulation

Mitigation:

  • •Implement mutual authentication
  • •Use certificate pinning
  • •Deploy network monitoring
  • •Validate IMS element identities

Tools:

SIP proxiesCertificate toolsNetwork positioning tools
Emergency Call Manipulation
Emergency ServicesCritical
Manipulation of emergency call routing and handling in VoLTE networks.

Impact:

Emergency service disruption, false emergency calls, location spoofing

Prerequisites:

IMS accessEmergency call routing knowledgeLocation service access

Mitigation:

  • •Implement emergency call protection
  • •Use secure location services
  • •Deploy emergency call monitoring
  • •Validate emergency routing

Tools:

SIP manipulation toolsLocation spoofing toolsEmergency call simulators
Quality of Service Manipulation
QoSMedium
Manipulation of QoS parameters to degrade call quality or gain unauthorized priority.

Impact:

Call quality degradation, service prioritization abuse, network congestion

Prerequisites:

Network accessQoS mechanism knowledgePolicy control access

Mitigation:

  • •Implement QoS validation
  • •Use policy enforcement
  • •Deploy QoS monitoring
  • •Validate service priorities

Tools:

QoS manipulation toolsPolicy control toolsNetwork analyzers

Related Attack Vectors

SIP Attacks
Session Initiation Protocol vulnerabilities and VoIP exploitation
VoWiFi Attacks
WiFi calling security and ePDG exploitation techniques
Mobile Attacks
Comprehensive mobile network attack vectors and exploits
Related Security Resources

References & Standards