SS7 over the Net (was Re: History Channel television show on NSA)

[Phillip Zakas]

Using SS7 one can redefine routes, gather number translation info via
Signalling Control Points (SCPs), etc. Rather than repeat boring details,
check out:

http://support.dialogic.com/ss7/SS7tutorial/tutorial.html

The link is a brief tutorial on SS7; it'll make possibilities more obvious.
What's the danger of SS7 over IP?  Lack of security features at gateways and
at the protocol level.
pz

>>>
How does this improve eavesdropping?  SS7 is only signaling.  There is no
voice payload on the SS7 network.  SS7 simply passes signaling information
around.  Perhaps the knowledge of calling and called party since those
digits are passed via SS7 but the converstation is entirely distinct.

-jr

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-cypherpunks at Algebra.COM
[mailto:owner-cypherpunks at Algebra.COM]On Behalf Of Josh Richards
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 9:35 PM
To: cypherpunks at einstein.ssz.com
Subject: SS7 over the Net (was Re: History Channel television show on
NSA)


* Phillip Zakas <pzakas at toucancapital.com> [20010108 21:51]:
[..]
> BTW, has anyone heard of recent moves to push SS7 phone messaging traffic
> over the internet in a bid to boost scalability and LNP resolution speeds?

There are already carriers doing SS7 over IP via gateways.  Over the public
Internet is not a stretch from a technical standpoint but, in practice,
I'd find it hard to believe too many LECs or IXCs going this route.  Private
IP networks, yes already in production even.  The public IP network, nobody
serious is doing it.  Wait, well, if you just mean VoIP there are VoIP
companies that are attempting things like this by partnering with regional
and local ISPs to place voice gateways.  If you're talking governmental
moves, there are easier ways.  The SS7 network isn't exactly encrypted..

> Three effects: it'll work better than the current SS7 network alone;
> improved eavesdropping on conversations which touch land lines (fyi only
> phone-to-phone cell phone comms like nextel's two-way-radio feature don't
> use land lines I believe); decreased need to try to decipher the message
> while it's in the air (it's harder to intercept over the air
transmissions).

How does this improve eavesdropping?  SS7 is only signaling.  There is no
voice payload on the SS7 network.  SS7 simply passes signaling information
around.  Perhaps the knowledge of calling and called party since those
digits are passed via SS7 but the converstation is entirely distinct.

-jr

----
Josh Richards [JTR38/JR539-ARIN]
<jrichard at geekresearch.com/cubicle.net/fix.net/freedom.gen.ca.us>
Geek Research LLC - <URL:http://www.geekresearch.com/>
IP Network Engineering and Consulting