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Signaling System 7

Signaling System 7 (SS7) is the core protocol used for routing telephone calls globally. It uses a separate out-of-band signaling channel to control calls rather than in-band signaling over voice channels. The SS7 network consists of service switching points, signal transfer points, and service control points that route signaling messages using point codes. While SS7 enabled global connectivity, it lacks security protections, allowing bad actors to track users' locations, read SMS messages, or conduct spoofing. Encrypting mobile traffic and disabling phones when possible can help prevent SS7-based tracking.

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Mohammed Elmadani
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© © All Rights Reserved
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62 views

Signaling System 7

Signaling System 7 (SS7) is the core protocol used for routing telephone calls globally. It uses a separate out-of-band signaling channel to control calls rather than in-band signaling over voice channels. The SS7 network consists of service switching points, signal transfer points, and service control points that route signaling messages using point codes. While SS7 enabled global connectivity, it lacks security protections, allowing bad actors to track users' locations, read SMS messages, or conduct spoofing. Encrypting mobile traffic and disabling phones when possible can help prevent SS7-based tracking.

Uploaded by

Mohammed Elmadani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Signaling System 7

Department: Networking and Telecommunication


Subject: Broadband Communication
Student: Mohammed Ahmed Elmadani
Overview

 Introduction
 Background
 SS7 network Elements
 Addressing
 Applications of SS7
 SS7 problems
Introduction

 What is SS7 ?
 It’s the core of global PSTN
 It ensures Global voice and SMS connectivity
 SS7/C7 is the protocol suite that is employed globally, across
telecommunications networks, to provide signaling.
 Uses out of band channel which make it more reliable and more secure
 This is the Network Control Protocol for telephone service providers worldwide.
 One of the most important and basic use of the SS7 system is to control the
network
 It is used for data transfer for both landline and wireless telephone systems and
has become standard for signaling across the globe.
Background

 AT&T developed SS7/C7 in 1975, and the International Telegraph and


Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) adopted it in 1980 as a
worldwide standard.

 Earlier signaling implementations, such as Signaling System 5, used in-


band signaling, where the same channel used for voice also carried the
signal tones to control calls. This caused many issues.
Background

 There are two types of channels that carry voice:


 Channel Associated Signaling (CAS)
  CAS the signaling is included in the same channel as the voice call.
 Common Channel Signaling (CCS)
 With CCS the signaling is provided in a separate channel.
CAS and CSS
CAS and CSS

 Common channel signaling advantages:


 More efficient use of voice path/circuit
 More bandwidth available for the signaling
 More secure
 More flexible architectures
 The channel that is used for signaling is only accessible to the underlying
infrastructure and not the end callers, increasing security.
SS7 Network Element

 There are three main types of signaling nodes in a SS7 network:


 Service Switching Points (SSPs)
 SSPs originate or terminate a call and are the initial point on the SS7 network
 Signal Transfer Points (STPs)
 The control signals are routed through various STPs, which operate as interconnected
switches on the SS7 network.(act as a router)
 Service Control Points (SCPs)
 The SCPs determine how to route a call or set up and manage some special feature.
 It also store some related information about the point code in it’s database
SS7 Network Element

Ssp:service switching point


Stp :signal transfer point
Scp:service control point
Addressing

 Point code
 An SS7  point code is similar to an IP address  in an IP network. It is a unique
address for a node (Signaling Point, or SP), used in MTP(Message transfer part)
layer 3 to identify the destination of a message signal unit (MSU).
 Depending on the network, a point code can be 24 bits (North America, China), 16
bits (Japan), or 14 bits (ITU standard, International SS7 network and most
countries)
 OPC Originating Point Code
 DPC Destination Point Code
 ISPC International Signaling Point Code
Addressing
SS7 Network suite MTP:Message Transfer part
SCCP:Signalling Connection Control Part
TCAP:Transaction Capabilities Application Part
ISUP: Integrated Services User Part
TUP: Telephone User Part
MAP: Mobile Application Part
SS7 application

 PSTN network
 GSM
 automated voicemail
 conference calling
 subscriber authentication and extended billing
 SMS
 mobile phone roaming and tracking
SS7 over IP network

 The signaling transport (SIGTRAN) protocols provide interoperability of SS7


signaling to operate over Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks. This enables
PSTN service to operate over legacy, analog plain old telephone service
 systems and modern IP networking equipment. SIGTRAN uses its own 
Stream Control Transmission Protocol, as opposed to 
Transmission Control Protocol or User Datagram Protocol.

  It is still the current standard for telephone calls and is in use for both 
landline and mobile phone service all the way up to and including 5G.
SS7 Problems

 The primary security on the SS7 network is that it is a closed system; only
telecom operators have access to it
 telecom providers operating as bad actors or governmental agencies with
legal access have relatively unrestricted access to all the information
available in the SS7 network.
 Given the rich feature set and nonexistent security of SS7, this gives
these threat actors unprecedented access to user information. It also gives
governments the ability to track mobile users' location anywhere in the world,
even without the use of the Global Positioning System.(GPS)
SS7 Problems cons

 SMS messages are sent unencrypted over the SS7 network and can be easily
read.

 This type of snooping is called a SS7 probe or international mobile subscriber


identity catcher

 the only way not to be at risk is to not use telephone service


SS7 Problems cons MSC:Mobile Switch
VLS:visitor location Register
HLR:Home Location register

Home Location Register (HLR) and Visitors Location Register


(VLR) are databases that contain the mobile subscriber information
as per the GSM architecture
SS7 Problems cons

Uplink
downlink
Locate Users
SS7 Problems cons

 This would entail disabling telephone and mobile data service on a cellphone
to prevent tracking
 Voice and text messages should be sent using encrypted IP-based services,
such as iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal.
 Your location could be being tracked at any stage when you have your mobile
phone on. The only way to avoid it is to turn off your phone or turn off its
connection to the mobile phone network and rely on Wi-Fi instead.
References

 SS7 hack explained: what can you do about it? | Hacking | The Guardian
 What is Signaling System 7 (SS7)? (techtarget.com)
 Signaling System No. 7: The Role of SS7 > Signaling System No. 7-Based Servic
es | Cisco
Press
 Signaling System - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
 Q.700 : Introduction to CCITT Signalling System No. 7 (itu.int)
The End

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