Pre-Authentication Messages as a Common Root Cause of Cell Network Attacks - Yomna Nasser - USENIX Enigma - 2020

Explore the common root cause behind recent cell network attacks affecting mobile user privacy in this 20-minute conference talk from USENIX Enigma 2020. Delve into the vulnerability stemming from cell phones' inability to authenticate towers during initial connection bootstrapping. Examine various attack types, from traditional IMSI catchers to newer spoofing techniques targeting emergency broadcast systems. Understand the historical context, current efforts to address the issue, and the inherent challenges in solving this pervasive problem. Gain insights into cell network security research and its future directions.

Intro
What is an IMSI-catcher?
ACLU sues Homeland Security over 'stingray' cell phone surveillance
Terminology
The original (GSM) IMSI-catcher
General attack types (from research)
Spoofing Presidential Alerts
What about digital certificates?
Challenges in cell network security research
Cell network security research historically
Conclusion + next steps