Hacker Builds $1,500 Cell Phone Tapping Device

We previously discussed security researcher Chris Paget's plans to demonstrate practical cell phone interception at DefCon. Paget completed his talk yesterday, and reader suraj.sun points out coverage from Wired. Quoting: "A security researcher created a $1,500 cell phone base station kit (including a laptop and two RF antennas) that tricks cell phones into routing their outbound calls through his device, allowing someone to intercept even encrypted calls in the clear. Most of the price is for the laptop he used to operate the system. The device tricks the phones into disabling encryption and records call details and content before they are routed on their proper way through voice-over-IP. The low-cost, home-brewed device ... mimics more expensive devices already used by intelligence and law enforcement agencies — called IMSI catchers — that can capture phone ID data and content. The devices essentially spoof a legitimate GSM tower and entice cell phones to send them data by emitting a signal that's stronger than legitimate towers in the area. Encrypted calls are not protected from interception because the rogue tower can simply turn it off. Although the GSM specifications say that a phone should pop up a warning when it connects to a station that does not have encryption, SIM cards disable that setting so that alerts are not displayed. Even though the GSM spec requires it, this is a deliberate choice of the cell phone makers, Paget said."

Comments

Disabled warning

[maxwell demon]

If the GSM spec does specify the warning should be there, does that mean the manufacturers are violating their GSM license when they disable that warning? Or could they be sued for false marketing because the phone you bought does not follow the GSM spec despite being called a GSM phone?

In short: Could they be (successfully) sued for it?

"deliberate choice"

[Manip]

So wait, law enforcement use a method to interception that would be compromised if that warning was displayed, and phone manufacturers fail to enable such a warning? Call my a conspiracy nut but perhaps they were asked not to include such a warning for exactly that reason. It wouldn't be the first time the government has asked private industry to make it easier to snoop.

Re:If it is the SIM card disabling the warning??

[maxwell demon]

I am not sure I understand the above text. If it is the SIM card disabling the setting, why is this then labeled a deliberate choice by the cell phone makers?

Why can SIM cards disable the warning? Well, clearly because the cell phone allows the SIM card to disable the warning.