A privacy-enhanced computationally-efficient and comprehensive LTE-AKA

Abstract

Evolved Packet System (EPS) was designed to be an umbrella technology for next generation LTE wireless networks. The enhanced data rates, innovative core architecture, and improved security mechanisms motivate operators and vendors to invest in the LTE technology that is intended to stay for the long term. The Authentication and Key Agreement protocol in EPS has a privacy-breaching vulnerability that is considered too expensive to solve. Previously, attackers were not able to locate precisely the users who are trying to connect to a network because the area covered by the monitored cell is in terms of kilometers squared. Currently, with the increase in the use of femtocells and the decreasing cost of attack equipment, the above hypothesis fails, and the expected rate of attacks exploiting this vulnerability increases. In this paper, we propose a new protocol to solve these privacy concerns, compare it to other solutions, and verify its security using the AVISPA tool. © 2016