The effects of signaling and resource reservation attacks on LTE networks

Abstract

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is seen as the key enabler for delivering the fourth generation of mobile broadband and is the first cellular network primarily designed based on IP. As such, LTE networks are expected to achieve wide scale adoption worldwide, and with the proliferation of smartphones, mobile users can enjoy multiple data-rich services on their handsets. Thus, telecom operators must support the diverse IP-based mobile applications and all the overhead associated with such applications. The additional burden is mainly a result of the increased signaling and data traffic generated to accommodate these various applications. Malicious users can take advantage of the signaling overhead and some data intensive applications to deny legitimate users network services. This work studies the effects of a signaling attack against LTE networks that takes advantage of the signaling overhead required to set up dedicated radio bearers. The attack scenario is simulated in OPNET, and its effects on the network resources are analyzed. The signaling traces resulting from this attack are extracted and detection and mitigation mechanism that can be used to thwart such attacks are proposed. Following that, a data intensive attack that seeks to maliciously reserve resources at the eNodeB is described and implemented to show its effects on denying network services for other users.