How to Start SS7 Attack Projects Using NS2

To start an SS7 attack project using NS2, we will need to replicate the attacks on the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol for comprehending the vulnerabilities, impacts, and mitigation mechanisms. SS7 is a collection of protocols which is generally utilized for interaction among the network components within in public switched telephone networks (PSTNs). General SS7 attacks have spoofing, denial of service (DoS), interception, and location tracking.

NS2 environment isn’t intended for SS7, thus we can replicate SS7-like behaviors to utilize application-layer traffic and focus on the influence over network. To integrate NS2 with more tools or custom executions may be essential for detailed SS7-specific projects.

Below is a comprehensive method to get started:

Steps to Start SS7 Attack Projects in NS2

  1. Understand SS7 and Attack Types

SS7 Protocol Basics:

  • It is typically utilised for call configuration, routing, billing, SMS, and roaming.
  • Functions within MTP, SCCP, and TCAP layers.

Common SS7 Attacks:

  1. Spoofing: To mimic a user to transmit the calls or messages.
  2. Interception: Overhearing on calls or SMS.
  3. Denial of Service (DoS): It supports to overburden the network resources.
  4. Location Tracking: Recovering a position of user to utilize signaling messages.

Project Goals:

  • Replicate an SS7-like network and design the attack scenarios.
  • Examine the attacks’ effect on the performance of network.
  • Improve and estimate the mitigation strategies.
  1. Set Up NS2
  1. Install NS2: We can set up NS2 on the system using below code:

sudo apt-get install ns2

  1. Verify Installation: Execute it:

ns

If the NS2 terminal is starts then it effectively installed.

  1. SS7 in NS2: Although NS2 doesn’t directly support for SS7, we will need to replicate the SS7-like traffic models to utilize TCP/UDP or custom application-layer logic.
  1. Define the Project Scope

Focus on the SS7 project features:

  • DoS attacks’ effect on signaling traffic.
  • To replicate the spoofing or interception scenarios.
  • Estimating the mitigation mechanisms.
  1. Create the Network Topology

Make a network topology denoting the SS7 network:

  • SS7 Nodes: We can replicate Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), Home Location Registers (HLRs), or Gateway MSCs (GMSCs).
  • Attack Nodes: Mimic nodes to execute attacks.
  1. Write a TCL Script

Below is an instance of TCL script for replicating a DoS attack on an SS7-like signaling network:

Example TCL Script:

# Create a new simulator instance

set ns [new Simulator]

# Open trace and NAM files

set tracefile [open ss7_attack.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

set namfile [open ss7_attack.nam w]

$ns namtrace-all $namfile

# Create nodes: legitimate user, SS7 server, and attacker

set user [$ns node]

set server [$ns node]

set attacker [$ns node]

# Define duplex links with bandwidth and delay

$ns duplex-link $user $server 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $attacker $server 1Mb 5ms DropTail

# Attach TCP agents for legitimate SS7-like traffic

set tcp_user [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $user $tcp_user

set sink_user [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $server $sink_user

$ns connect $tcp_user $sink_user

# Attach UDP agents for attack traffic

set udp_attacker [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $attacker $udp_attacker

set sink_attack [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $server $sink_attack

$ns connect $udp_attacker $sink_attack

# Generate legitimate SS7-like traffic

set ftp_user [new Application/FTP]

$ftp_user attach-agent $tcp_user

$ns at 0.5 “$ftp_user start”

$ns at 5.0 “$ftp_user stop”

# Generate DoS attack traffic

set cbr_attacker [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr_attacker attach-agent $udp_attacker

$cbr_attacker set packetSize_ 512

$cbr_attacker set interval_ 0.01

$ns at 2.0 “$cbr_attacker start”

$ns at 4.5 “$cbr_attacker stop”

# End simulation

$ns at 6.0 “finish”

proc finish {} {

global ns tracefile namfile

$ns flush-trace

close $tracefile

close $namfile

exec nam ss7_attack.nam &

exit 0

}

$ns run

  1. Run the Simulation
  1. We need to store the tcl simulation script like ss7_attack.tcl.
  2. Then, run the simulation in NS2:

ns ss7_attack.tcl

  1. Envision the network using NAM:

nam ss7_attack.nam

  1. Analyze the Impact of the Attack
  1. Trace File Analysis: Obtain the crucial performance parameters in ss7_attack.tr:
    • Throughput: We should equate the legitimate and attack traffic.
    • Packet Loss: Evaluate the packets that are effectively lost by reason of DoS.
    • Delay: Examine latency for legitimate traffic.
  2. Tools for Analysis: Execute the trace files and make performance graphs with the support of tools like AWK, Python, or MATLAB for analysis.
  1. Experiment with Advanced Scenarios
  1. Spoofing Attack: Replicate an advanced scenario in which the attacker mimics a legitimate node:

set spoof [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $attacker $spoof

$ns connect $spoof $sink_user

  1. Interception: Integrate an intermediate node for replicating traffic interception:

set interceptor [$ns node]

$ns duplex-link $interceptor $server 1Mb 10ms DropTail

  1. Mitigation Techniques: Execute the mitigation strategies such as rate limiting or filtering to response attacks:

$ns queue-limit $attacker $server 10

  1. Extend the Project
  1. Scalability Analysis: We will replicate the larger networks including several attack and legitimate nodes.
  2. Custom Application Layer Protocols: Execute the SS7-specific behaviors by way of prolonging the NS2 source code using layer protocols.
  3. Cross-Layer Analysis: Analyze the SS7 attacks’ effect on transport or application layers.
  1. Document Your Findings

This project offers detailed insights that have:

  • Objectives: Replicate and examine the attacks.
  • Methodology: Network configuration and metrics.
  • Results: Performance parameters such as throughput, packet loss, and latency.
  • Insights: Explanations regarding the effect and efficiency of mitigation mechanisms.

We executed an efficient simulation method to replicate and analyse the SS7 Attack Projects using NS2 environment and further insights will be elaborated upon in the next guide.