From young toddlers who begin to operate a cellphone before they may talk to grownups whose phones store important data, the usage of smartphones has been gradually rising across the world. Currently, everyone owns at minimum one personal mobile device.

Instead of just one device, massive networks are now the target of advanced cyberattacks. From the perspective of such a mobile operator, when the network’s SS7 technology has been compromised, hackers gain access to the confidential information of the clients. They have access to calls, texts, and the location of the device without your consent or the user’s knowledge.

SS7 Attacks: What Are They?

SS7 attacks involve mobile intrusions that use security holes inside the SS7 system to infiltrate and capture voice and text communications on cellular systems. Similar to a MITM attack, SS7 attacks aim at mobile phone conversations instead of wifi broadcasts.

How Do SS7 Attacks Operate?

In order to authenticate oneself and eavesdrop on message and audio conversations, SS7 attacks take advantage of the features of communication platforms that are based mostly on SS7 protocols. A hacker team just needs any Linux-based platform and also that SS7 SDK, that can be acquired for available on the internet, to launch an SS7 attack.

The criminal can start pursuing consumers after connecting to the SS7 network by tricking the system into thinking the assailant unit is really an MSC/VLR component.

How Do Hackers Benefit From The SS7 Attack?

Successful MiTM spoofing attacks provide attackers access to identical types and volumes of information that are generally exclusively accessible to security authorities. Monitoring messages, calls, and whereabouts enables hackers to get valuable information.

An extremely common security measure is SS7 vulnerabilities. Two-factor verification through SMS using SS7 is essentially flawed since these SMS messages are not encrypted and can be easily obtained by hackers. Also with a pin from the Text in their control, a malevolent individual may be capable to change your login for the Chat, Google, Social Platforms, or even banking information.

How Do Intruders Execute An SS7 Intrusion?

The SS7 flaw is exploited as follows:

To collect texts and calls employing the SS7 technique, you must login to that SS7 system and run a program to trick the network connectivity of a preliminary subscriber into believing that the program is a mobile MSC/VLR unit in a system.

Obtain SS7 connectivity.

  • You will require a Global Identifier as well as a point id in order to establish the SS7 link (international). It could also be possible to use a regional point code, based mostly on the SS7 connectivity vendors. In event that it’s a network company, GSM will provide them with a unique network identifier so they may have a range of global titles, and IMSIs, including MSISDNs. After obtaining a worldwide title, you can buy a global designation through a phone provider if not immediately.
  • You may broadcast your GT over all networks by connecting to an SS7 aggregator. As a result, traffic will be sent to your GT via your application’s or node’s route by the aggregator. In order to connect mobile phone network operators globally, MVNOs frequently broadcast a portion of their GT bands to an aggregator.
  • You must get in touch with telecom providers directly since they will individually set up your GT’s route to the hosting node. As a result, you need to sign up for each phone carrier separately.

Employ SS7 Tool.

One should either develop their own SS7 application or buy an available one after joining an SS7 network. You need the SDK which provides the required ss7 library functions and bundles in order to generate the ss7 exploit code.

Declare the SS7 App as a real phone.

An app must initially be registered before a phone may join a mobile network. An IMSI first from a SIM chip connected to the cellphone number is required. A cellphone number can also be easily obtained by anyone, however, finding an IMSI might be more difficult. To find out the IMSI data for the user’s cellphone number, you should use the IMSI collector program. After obtaining the SRI-SM as well as contact details from HLR, an HLR reply by transmitting the IMSI as well as roaming data.

The country code and area code are included in the roaming information. The SS7 hacking software creates the status update using the IMSI information and additional variables before starting a TCAP conversation with the SS7 node.

It is necessary to fill out both the SCCP calling and called party addresses. The calling party address is the software program’s GT, and the calling party address is produced from the IMSI. When the location is updated, the HLR will respond with Insert Subscriber Data. The application software must identify the ISD to the HLR in order for the update location technique to work and for the app to attach to a smartphone. On the other hand, enrollment is finished when the HLR sends an updated location ACK.

How can iTechwares help you?

If you think, your mobile is getting hacked by an SS7 attack and someone is monitoring all of your activities, you can contact us. We have modern tools, experienced ethical hackers, and the methodology to identify the hack and remove it. We also work on how to secure your smartphone from getting hacked. Contact us today for the best ethical hacking service.