Researchers uncover 4G LTE exploits that can be used to spy, spoof and cause panic

Vulnerabilities in a common wireless telecommunications standard could allow hackers to send a fake emergency alert message to almost anyone’s smartphone. Researchers from Purdue University and the University of Iowa say they’ve discovered 10 new vulnerabilities in the 4G LTE protocol that can disrupt victims’ devices in several ways. They present the new findings in a paper published last month that showcases a tool they developed in order to detect such vulnerabilities. Among the new attacks, the researchers highlight an authentication relay attack, which they say allows an attacker to connect to an LTE network while spoofing another existing device’s identity and location. This is done without having legitimate credentials. “Through this attack the adversary can poison the location of the victim device in the core networks, thus allowing setting up a false alibi or planting fake evidence during a criminal investigation,” the paper says. The researchers explain that the 4G LTE protocol […]

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Behind the Scenes at a Pair of Cell Sites

Those who fancy themselves as infrastructure nerds find cell sites fascinating. They’re outposts of infrastructure wedged into almost any place that can provide enough elevation to cover whatever gap might exist in a carrier’s coverage map. But they’re usually locked behind imposing doors and fences with signs warning of serious penalty for unauthorized access, and so we usually have to settle for admiring them from afar.

Some folks, like [Mike Fisher] aka [MrMobile], have connections, though, and get to take an up close and personal tour of a couple of cell sites. And while the video below is far from …read more

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Kristin Paget is Hacking Carrier Grade LTE eNodeB

Every once in a while you get lucky and a piece of cool gear lands on your bench to tear down and explore. On that measuring stick, Kristin Paget hit the jackpot when she acquired a fascinating piece of current generation cellphone infrastructure. She’s currently researching a carrier-grade LTE eNodeB and walked through some of the findings, along with security findings of two IoT products, during her talk on the Laws of IoT Security at the 2017 Hackaday Superconference.

Evolved Node B (eNodeB) is the meat and potatoes of the LTE cellular network. It connects the antenna to backhaul — …read more

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How do I read the 3GPP specifications to learn about the security architecture of LTE Narrowband-IoT?

I want to learn about the security architecture of the new LTE Narrowband-IoT standard.
This standard is specified within the 3GPP specifications (of release 13) but I have trouble to extract the relevant information.

How ca… Continue reading How do I read the 3GPP specifications to learn about the security architecture of LTE Narrowband-IoT?

How do I read the 3GPP specifications to learn about the security architecture of LTE Narrowband-IoT?

I want to learn about the security architecture of the new LTE Narrowband-IoT standard.
This standard is specified within the 3GPP specifications (of release 13) but I have trouble to extract the relevant information.

How ca… Continue reading How do I read the 3GPP specifications to learn about the security architecture of LTE Narrowband-IoT?

Project Loon Will Float LTE to Puerto Rico

Some of the biggest names in technology have offered their help in rebuilding Puerto Rico’s infrastructure. The newest name on the list? The X division of Alphabet, who want to help fill the huge communications gap using Project Loon, their high-altitude balloon network. It looks like X is going to get their wish, as they have just been granted license from the FCC to deploy LTE cell coverage to both Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The plan is to launch 30 balloons that will act as a network of floating cell towers to radiate an LTE signal originating …read more

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Review: New 3G and Cat-M1 Cellular Hardware from Hologram

In July we reported on the launch of the Hologram developer program that offered a free SIM card and a small amount of monthly cellular data for those who wanted to build connectivity into their prototypes. Today, Hologram has launched some new hardware to go along with that program.

Nova is a cellular modem in a USB thumb drive form factor. It ships in a little box with a PCB that hosts the u-blox cellular module, two different antennas, a plastic enclosure, and a SIM card. The product is aimed at those building connected devices around single-board computers, making it …read more

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Review: New 3G and Cat-M1 Cellular Hardware from Hologram

In July we reported on the launch of the Hologram developer program that offered a free SIM card and a small amount of monthly cellular data for those who wanted to build connectivity into their prototypes. Today, Hologram has launched some new hardware to go along with that program.

Nova is a cellular modem in a USB thumb drive form factor. It ships in a little box with a PCB that hosts the u-blox cellular module, two different antennas, a plastic enclosure, and a SIM card. The product is aimed at those building connected devices around single-board computers, making it …read more

Continue reading Review: New 3G and Cat-M1 Cellular Hardware from Hologram