On Securing MAC Layer Broadcast Signals Against Covert Channel Exploitation in 5G, 6G & Beyond. (arXiv:2108.12161v2 [cs.CR] UPDATED)

Web: http://arxiv.org/abs/2108.12161

In this work, we propose a novel framework to identify and mitigate a
recently disclosed covert channel scheme exploiting unprotected broadcast
messages in cellular MAC layer protocols. Examples of covert channel are used
in data exfiltration, remote command-and-control (CnC) and espionage.
Responsibly disclosed to GSMA (CVD-2021-0045), the SPARROW covert channel
scheme exploits the downlink power of LTE/5G base-stations that broadcast
contention resolution identity (CRI) from any anonymous device according to the
3GPP standards. Thus, the SPARROW devices can covertly relay …

beyond channel covert covert channel exploitation mac