Are Telco’s serious to enhance their SS7 Network ?

SS7 is a critical network that is used to route all telecommunications traffic, making it a prime target for attackers. Telecom companies are aware of the risks posed by SS7 vulnerabilities and are taking steps to mitigate them.

SS7 protocols are being used by hackers in the new telecom era. As 5G technology propagates and expands to reach new audiences and devices, the opportunities for mobile cyber-attacks grow exponentially.

While the YouTube browsing history of a toddler may be of little interest to hackers, anyone holding sensitive data or communicating privileged information is at risk. All thanks to legacy network protocols of global telecommunications as mobile devices are often used to access sensitive data, such as online banking accounts and email accounts. This makes them attractive targets for SS7 attackers.

There was 87% increase in Internet of Things malware in 2022, and in 2023 it is expected to continue to wreak mobile security havoc at an exponential rate. SS7 Network is one of the most prominent mobile network vulnerabilities threatening mobile service providers and users with SS7 loopholes.

SS7 connects carriers worldwide. It is used to exchange signalling information, such as call setup and routing, between carriers. SS7 is an aging network that was not designed with security in mind. As a result, it is vulnerable to a variety of attacks, including:

· Man-in-the-middle attacks: An attacker can intercept and modify SS7 messages, allowing them to eavesdrop on calls, redirect calls, and even impersonate other users.

· Denial-of-service attacks: An attacker can flood SS7 networks with traffic, preventing legitimate users from making or receiving calls.

· Fraud attacks: An attacker can exploit SS7 vulnerabilities to commit fraud, such as by routing calls through premium-rate numbers.

Rather than target specific devices, sophisticated attacks are being perpetrated on entire networks. From a mobile service provider perspective, once your network’s SS7 protocol is successfully compromised, hackers are privy to the subscriber’s personal information. They can access text messages, phone calls, track device location, and all without your or the subscriber’s knowledge.

One of the main reasons for the increase in SS7 attacks is the growing use of mobile devices. Mobile devices are more vulnerable to SS7 attacks than traditional landline phones because they use SS7 to authenticate themselves to the network.

Going forward, SS7 attacks can have a significant impact on businesses and individuals. For example, attackers can use SS7 to intercept confidential business calls, steal financial data, and even disrupt critical infrastructure.