An SS7 attack is a type of network attack that exploits a flaw in the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol to gain access to the victim's text messages, calls, and location data. The attacker does not need to be on the same network as the victim; all that is required is access to an SS7 gateway.
SS7 is a global network of telecom operators that use the protocol to communicate with each other. The flaw in the protocol allows an attacker to intercept and read text messages, listen in on calls, and track the location of a victim without their knowledge.
There are a number of ways to perform an SS7 attack, but the most common is to send spoofed messages to the victim's mobile phone network that trick the network into routing the victim's traffic through the attacker's network. From there, the attacker can intercept and read the victim's text messages, listen in on their calls, and track their location.
The best way to protect against SS7 attacks is to use a VPN or other encrypted communication protocol that uses a different signalling system.
Is SS7 still vulnerable?
Yes, SS7 is still vulnerable. Its vulnerabilities were first publicized in 2014, and though steps have been taken to mitigate them, the underlying weaknesses remain. In particular, SS7 is vulnerable to "signaling hijacking" attacks, in which an attacker can gain control of the signaling channels used to route calls and texts, and exploit that control to intercept calls and texts, or even track the location of a phone.
How is SS7 exploited?
SS7 is a set of protocols used by telephone networks to communicate with each other. These protocols are designed to be robust and reliable, but they are also quite old and were not designed with security in mind. This makes them vulnerable to attack, and there have been a number of high-profile incidents in which attackers have exploited SS7 vulnerabilities to spy on people's phone calls and text messages.
One of the most common ways to exploit SS7 is to set up a so-called "man in the middle" attack. In this type of attack, the attacker intercepts the communication between two legitimate users and then impersonates one of them to the other. This allows the attacker to eavesdrop on the conversation or even modify the messages that are being sent.
Another common way to exploit SS7 is to use it to locate a mobile phone. By sending a few carefully crafted messages over the SS7 network, an attacker can determine the approximate location of a phone without the user's knowledge or consent. This can be used to track someone's movements or even to intercept their calls and text messages.
There are a number of other ways to exploit SS7, but these are two of the most common. The best way to protect against SS7 attacks is to use a VPN or other type of encrypted communication protocol that is not based on SS7.
What is SS7 and how it works?
SS7, or Signaling System 7, is a set of signaling protocols used by telecommunications networks to set up and tear down telephone calls. It is also used for other purposes such as number portability, billing, and short message service (SMS).
SS7 consists of a set of signaling protocols that define how network elements should communicate with each other to set up and tear down telephone calls. The most important of these protocols is the Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP), which defines the signaling messages used to set up and tear down telephone calls. Other important protocols in the SS7 suite include the Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) and the Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP).
SS7 is a store-and-forward system, which means that each network element stores the signaling messages it receives and forwards them to the next network element in the signaling path. This allows network operators to add new features and services without having to make changes to the underlying signaling infrastructure.
SS7 is a critical part of the global telecommunications infrastructure and is used by almost all telephone operators around the world. However, because it was designed in the 1970s, before the advent of the Internet, it does not have built-in security features. This makes it vulnerable to attack, and there have been a number of high-profile incidents in which attackers have exploited SS7 vulnerabilities to spy on targets or disrupt their service.