How to Implement ss7 attack in ns3

To implement an SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) attack in ns3, we need to create a basic simulation frame work for extension. Since, ns3 will not directly support SS7 protocol the framework need to be extended to model SS7 and related attacks.

Here we had provided the basic simulation steps that extend to model SS7 in ns3.

Step-by-step guide to Implement SS7 attack in ns3

1. Set Up ns-3 Environment:
   • Make sure ns3 is installed on the system.
   • Install necessary dependencies.
2. Understand SS7 Protocol:
   • Study the basics of SS7, including its architecture, signaling points, and common attacks (e.g., SMS interception, location tracking, call interception).
3. Create a New ns-3 Script:
   • Create a new script file in the scratch directory of ns-3, e.g., ss7_attack.cc.
4. Include Necessary Headers:
   • Include the necessary ns3 headers in the script.
5. Define Network Topology:
   • Set up a basic network topology that includes nodes representing Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), Signaling Transfer Points (STPs), Home Location Registers (HLRs), and the attacker.
6. Implement Basic SS7 Functionality:
   • Simulate basic SS7 signaling messages using custom applications or modified existing ones.
7. Create the Attacker Node:
   • Add a node that will act as the attacker. This node will generate malicious SS7 messages or intercept legitimate ones.
8. Simulate SS7 Messages:
   • Use custom applications to simulate sending and receiving SS7 messages between the nodes.
9. Implement the Attack:
   • Implement the specific SS7 attack logic (e.g., sending spoofed Update Location requests to track a mobile device).
10. Run the Simulation:
    • Set the simulation time and run the simulation using Simulator::Run() and Simulator::Destroy().

Here is a basic example to implement the process:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“SS7Attack”);

class SS7Application : public Application

{

public:

SS7Application ();

virtual ~SS7Application ();

void Setup (Ptr<Socket> socket, Address address);

private:

virtual void StartApplication (void);

virtual void StopApplication (void);

void ScheduleTx (void);

void SendSS7Message (void);

Ptr<Socket>     m_socket;

Address         m_peer;

EventId         m_sendEvent;

bool            m_running;

uint32_t        m_packetSize;

uint32_t        m_nPackets;

uint32_t        m_packetsSent;

};

SS7Application::SS7Application ()

: m_socket (0),

m_peer (),

m_sendEvent (),

m_running (false),

m_packetSize (0),

m_nPackets (0),

m_packetsSent (0)

{

}

SS7Application::~SS7Application()

{

m_socket = 0;

}

void

SS7Application::Setup (Ptr<Socket> socket, Address address)

{

m_socket = socket;

m_peer = address;

}

void

SS7Application::StartApplication (void)

{

m_running = true;

m_socket->Bind ();

m_socket->Connect (m_peer);

SendSS7Message ();

}

 

void

SS7Application::StopApplication (void)

{

m_running = false;

if (m_sendEvent.IsRunning ())

{

Simulator::Cancel (m_sendEvent);

}

if (m_socket)

{

m_socket->Close ();

}

}

void

SS7Application::SendSS7Message (void)

{

Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet> (m_packetSize);

m_socket->Send (packet);

 

if (++m_packetsSent < m_nPackets)

{

ScheduleTx ();

}

}

void

SS7Application::ScheduleTx (void)

{

if (m_running)

{

Time tNext (Seconds (1.0));

m_sendEvent = Simulator::Schedule (tNext, &SS7Application::SendSS7Message, this);

}

}

int main (int argc, char *argv[])

{

// Set up logging

LogComponentEnable (“SS7Attack”, LOG_LEVEL_INFO);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create (3); // Two normal nodes and one attacker node

// Create point-to-point links

PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“5Mbps”));

pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));

// Install devices and channels

NetDeviceContainer devices;

devices = pointToPoint.Install (nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(1));

devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install (nodes.Get(1), nodes.Get(2))); // Attacker connected to one of the nodes

// Install the internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install (nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase (“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign (devices);

// Create and install SS7 applications

uint16_t port = 9; // Discard port (RFC 863)

// Legitimate SS7 application on node 1

Ptr<Socket> srcSocket = Socket::CreateSocket (nodes.Get (0), TypeId::LookupByName (“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”));

Ptr<SS7Application> app = CreateObject<SS7Application> ();

app->Setup (srcSocket, InetSocketAddress (interfaces.GetAddress (1), port));

nodes.Get (0)->AddApplication (app);

app->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.0));

app->SetStopTime (Seconds (10.0));

// Attacker application on node 2

Ptr<Socket> attackSocket = Socket::CreateSocket (nodes.Get (2), TypeId::LookupByName (“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”));

Ptr<SS7Application> attackerApp = CreateObject<SS7Application> ();

attackerApp->Setup (attackSocket, InetSocketAddress (interfaces.GetAddress (1), port));

nodes.Get (2)->AddApplication (attackerApp);

attackerApp->SetStartTime (Seconds (1.5));

attackerApp->SetStopTime (Seconds (10.0));

// Run simulation

Simulator::Run ();

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Explanation:

1. Nodes and Links:
   • Created 3 nodes: two legitimate nodes and one attacker node.
   • Configured point-to-point links between the nodes.
2. Applications:
   • Implemented a custom SS7Application to simulate SS7 messages.
   • Installed SS7 applications on the legitimate node and the attacker node.
3. Attacker Logic:
   • The attacker node generates and sends SS7 messages to the target node, simulating an SS7 attack.

The implementation process of SS7 attack is clearly explained above, which includes extending simulation framework and uses custom application to simulate sending and receiving SS7 messages.

For best programming and implementation then you can reach us out at ns3simulation.com on all areas of SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) attack .