Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) is a set of telephonysignaling protocols developed in 1975, which is used to set up and tear down telephone calls in most parts of the world-wide public switched telephone network (PSTN). The protocol also performs number translation, local number portability, prepaid billing, Short Message Service (SMS), and other services.

Dialogic® DSI SS7 Protocols TCAP Programmer's Manual Issue 15 7 1.4 Feature Overview Key features of the TCAP module include: Full implementation of ITU-T Q.771-Q.774 (1992) and ANSI T1.114. PowerPoint Presentation: Signaling System 7 (SS7) is an architecture for performing out-of-band signaling in support of the call-establishment, billing, routing, and information-exchange functions of the public switched telephone network (PSTN). It identifies functions to be performed by a signaling-system network and a protocol to enable their performance. SS7 Protocol Overview The SS7 protocol is a highly structured and layered protocol stack as shown in Figure 3†. SS7 and Intelligent Networking Applications 7.

The only international SS7 protocol is defined by ITU-T's Q.700-series recommendations in 1988. Of the many national variants of the SS7 protocols, most are based on variants of the international protocol as standardized by ANSI and ETSI. National variants with striking characteristics are the Chinese and Japanese national variants. Description: SS7 Overview will give you a basic understanding of the architecture and operational issues of the Common Channel Signaling (CCS) network and Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol. SS7 Executive Overview Course Length: 1 day Description: SS7 Overview will give you an understanding of the architecture and use of Common Channel Signaling (CCS) and the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol. This course describes how intelligent networking and its applications are used to support many of the features.

In North America SS7 is often referred to as Common Channel Signaling System 7 (CCSS7). In the United Kingdom, it is called C7 (CCITT number 7), number 7 and Common Channel Interoffice Signaling 7 (CCIS7). In Germany, it is often called Zentraler ZeichengabeKanal Nummer 7 (ZZK-7).

Use

The SS7 protocol is defined for international use by the Q.700-series recommendations of 1988 by the ITU-T.[1] Of the many national variants of the SS7 protocols, most are based on variants standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). National variants with striking characteristics are the Chinese and Japanese Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) national variants.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has defined the SIGTRAN protocol suite that implements levels 2, 3, and 4 protocols compatible with SS7. Sometimes also called Pseudo SS7,it is layered on the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) transport mechanism for use on Internet Protocol networks, such as the Internet.

  • 2Functionality
  • 4SS7 protocol suite

History[edit]

Signaling System No. 5 and earlier systems used in-band signaling, in which the call-setup information was sent by playing special multi-frequency tones into the telephone lines, known as bearer channels. As the bearer channel was directly accessible by users, it was exploited with devices such as the blue box, which played the tones required for call control and routing. As a remedy, SS6 and SS7 implemented out-of-band signaling, carried in a separate signaling channel,[2]:141 thus keeping the speech path separate. SS6 and SS7 are referred to as common-channel signaling (CCS) protocols, or Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS) systems.

Since 1975, CCS protocols have been developed by major telephone companies and the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T); in 1977 the ITU-T defined the first international CCS protocol as Signaling System No. 6 (SS6).[2]:145 In its 1980 Yellow Book Q.7XX-series recommendations ITU-T defined the Signaling System No. 7 as an international standard.[1] SS7 replaced SS6 with its restricted 28-bit signal unit that was both limited in function and not amendable to digital systems.[2]:145 SS7 also replaced Signaling System No. 5 (SS5), while R1 and R2 variants are still used in numerous countries.[citation needed]

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) defined SIGTRAN protocols which translate the common channel signaling paradigm to the IP Message Transfer Part (MTP) level 2 (M2UA and M2PA), Message Transfer Part (MTP) level 3 (M3UA) and Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) (SUA).[citation needed] While running on a transport based upon IP, the SIGTRAN protocols are not an SS7 variant, but simply transport existing national and international variants of SS7.[3][clarification needed]

Functionality[edit]

Signaling in telephony is the exchange of control information associated with the setup and release of a telephone call on a telecommunications circuit.[4]:318 Examples of control information are the digits dialed by the caller and the caller's billing number.

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When signaling is performed on the same circuit as the conversation of the call, it is termed channel-associated signaling (CAS). This is the case for earlier analogue trunks, multi-frequency (MF) and R2 digital trunks, and DSS1/DASSPBX trunks.[citation needed]

In contrast, SS7 uses common channel signaling, in which the path and facility used by the signaling is separate and distinct from the signaling without first seizing a voice channel, leading to significant savings and performance increases in both signaling and channel usage.[citation needed]

Because of the mechanisms used by signaling methods prior to SS7 (battery reversal, multi-frequency digit outpulsing, A- and B-bit signaling), these older methods could not communicate much signaling information. Usually only the dialed digits were signaled during call setup. For charged calls, dialed digits and charge number digits were outpulsed. SS7, being a high-speed and high-performance packet-based communications protocol, can communicate significant amounts of information when setting up a call, during the call, and at the end of the call. This permits rich call-related services to be developed. Some of the first such services were call management related, call forwarding (busy and no answer), voice mail, call waiting, conference calling, calling name and number display, call screening, malicious caller identification, busy callback.[4]:Introduction xx

The earliest deployed upper layer protocols in the SS7 suite were dedicated to the setup, maintenance, and release of telephone calls.[5] The Telephone User Part (TUP) was adopted in Europe and the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) adapted for public switched telephone network (PSTN) calls was adopted in North America. Adobe flash player manuell deinstallieren. ISUP was later used in Europe when the European networks upgraded to the ISDN. As of 2015 North America has not accomplished full upgrade to the ISDN, and the predominant telephone service is still the older Plain Old Telephone Service. Due to its richness and the need for an out-of-band channel for its operation, SS7 is mostly used for signaling between telephone switches and not for signaling between local exchanges and customer-premises equipment.[citation needed]

Because SS7 signaling does not require seizure of a channel for a conversation prior to the exchange of control information, non-facility associated signaling (NFAS) became possible. NFAS is signaling that is not directly associated with the path that a conversation will traverse and may concern other information located at a centralized database such as service subscription, feature activation, and service logic. This makes possible a set of network-based services that do not rely upon the call being routed to a particular subscription switch at which service logic would be executed, but permits service logic to be distributed throughout the telephone network and executed more expediently at originating switches far in advance of call routing. It also permits the subscriber increased mobility due to the decoupling of service logic from the subscription switch. Another ISUP characteristic SS7 with NFAS enables is the exchange of signaling information during the middle of a call.[4]:318

SS7 also enables Non-Call-Associated Signaling, which is signaling not directly related to establishing a telephone call.[4]:319 This includes the exchange of registration information used between a mobile telephone and a home location register database, which tracks the location of the mobile. Other examples include Intelligent Network and local number portability databases.[4]:433

Signaling modes[edit]

Apart from signaling with these various degrees of association with call set-up and the facilities used to carry calls, SS7 is designed to operate in two modes: associated mode and quasi-associated mode.[6]

When operating in the associated mode, SS7 signaling progresses from switch to switch through the Public Switched Telephone Network following the same path as the associated facilities that carry the telephone call. This mode is more economical for small networks. The associated mode of signaling is not the predominant choice of modes in North America.[7]

When operating in the quasi-associated mode, SS7 signaling progresses from the originating switch to the terminating switch, following a path through a separate SS7 signaling network composed of signal transfer points. This mode is more economical for large networks with lightly loaded signaling links. The quasi-associated mode of signaling is the predominant choice of modes in North America.[8]

Ospf Protocol Overview

Physical network[edit]

SS7 separates signaling from the voice circuits. An SS7 network must be made up of SS7-capable equipment from end to end in order to provide its full functionality. The network can be made up of several link types (A, B, C, D, E, and F) and three signaling nodes – Service Switching Points (SSPs), Signal Transfer Points (STPs), and Service Control Points (SCPs). Each node is identified on the network by a number, a signaling point code. Extended services are provided by a database interface at the SCP level using the SS7 network.[citation needed]

The links between nodes are full-duplex 56, 64, 1,536, or 1,984 kbit/s graded communications channels. In Europe they are usually one (64 kbit/s) or all (1,984 kbit/s) timeslots (DS0s) within an E1 facility; in North America one (56 or 64 kbit/s) or all (1,536 kbit/s) timeslots (DS0As or DS0s) within a T1 facility. One or more signaling links can be connected to the same two endpoints that together form a signaling link set. Signaling links are added to link sets to increase the signaling capacity of the link set.[citation needed]

In Europe, SS7 links normally are directly connected between switching exchanges using F-links. This direct connection is called associated signaling. In North America, SS7 links are normally indirectly connected between switching exchanges using an intervening network of STPs. This indirect connection is called quasi-associated signaling, which reduces the number of SS7 links necessary to interconnect all switching exchanges and SCPs in an SS7 signaling network.[9]

SS7 links at higher signaling capacity (1.536 and 1.984 Mbit/s, simply referred to as the 1.5 Mbit/s and 2.0 Mbit/s rates) are called high speed links (HSL) in contrast to the low speed (56 and 64 kbit/s) links. High speed links are specified in ITU-T Recommendation Q.703 for the 1.5 Mbit/s and 2.0 Mbit/s rates, and ANSI Standard T1.111.3 for the 1.536 Mbit/s rate.[10] There are differences between the specifications for the 1.5 Mbit/s rate. High speed links utilize the entire bandwidth of a T1 (1.536 Mbit/s) or E1 (1.984 Mbit/s) transmission facility for the transport of SS7 signaling messages.[10]

SIGTRAN provides signaling using SCTP associations over the Internet Protocol.[4]:456 The protocols for SIGTRAN are M2PA, M2UA, M3UA and SUA.[11]

SS7 protocol suite[edit]

SS7 protocol suite
SS7 protocols by OSI layer
ApplicationINAP, MAP, IS-41..
01114855421TCAP, CAP, ISUP, ..
NetworkMTP Level 3 + SCCP
Data linkMTP Level 2
PhysicalMTP Level 1

The SS7 protocol stack may be partially mapped to the OSI Model of a packetized digital protocol stack. OSI layers 1 to 3 are provided by the Message Transfer Part (MTP) and the Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) of the SS7 protocol (together referred to as the Network Service Part (NSP)); for circuit related signaling, such as the BT IUP, Telephone User Part (TUP), or the ISDN User Part (ISUP), the User Part provides layer 7. Currently there are no protocol components that provide OSI layers 4 through 6.[1] The Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) is the primary SCCP User in the Core Network, using SCCP in connectionless mode. SCCP in connection oriented mode provides transport layer for air interface protocols such as BSSAP and RANAP. TCAP provides transaction capabilities to its Users (TC-Users), such as the Mobile Application Part, the Intelligent Network Application Part and the CAMEL Application Part.[citation needed]

The Message Transfer Part (MTP) covers a portion of the functions of the OSI network layer including: network interface, information transfer, message handling and routing to the higher levels. Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) is at functional Level 4. Together with MTP Level 3 it is called the Network Service Part (NSP). SCCP completes the functions of the OSI network layer: end-to-end addressing and routing, connectionless messages (UDTs), and management services for users of the Network Service Part (NSP).[12] Telephone User Part (TUP) is a link-by-link signaling system used to connect calls. ISUP is the key user part, providing a circuit-based protocol to establish, maintain, and end the connections for calls. Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) is used to create database queries and invoke advanced network functionality, or links to Intelligent Network Application Part (INAP) for intelligent networks, or Mobile Application Part (MAP) for mobile services.

BSSAP[edit]

BSS Application Part (BSSAP) is a protocol in Signaling System 7 used by the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the Base station subsystem (BSS) to communicate with each other using signalling messages supported by the MTP and connection-oriented services of the SCCP. For each active mobile equipment one signalling connection is used by BSSAP having at least one active transactions for the transfer of messages.[13]

BSSAP provides two kinds of functions:

  • The BSS Mobile Application Part (BSSMAP) supports procedures to facilitate communication between the MSC and the BSS pertaining to resource management and handover control.
  • The Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) is used for transfer of those messages which need to travel directly to a Mobile equipment from MSC by passing any interpretation by BSS. These messages are generally pertaining to Mobility management (MM) or Call Management (CM).

Ss7 Protocol Stack

Protocol security vulnerabilities[edit]

In 2008, several SS7 vulnerabilities were published that permitted the tracking of cell phone users.[14]In 2014, the media reported a protocol vulnerability of SS7 by which anybody can track the movements of cell phone users from virtually anywhere in the world with a success rate of approximately 70%.[15] In addition, eavesdropping is possible by using the protocol to forward calls and also facilitate decryption by requesting that each caller's carrier release a temporary encryption key to unlock the communication after it has been recorded.[16] The software tool SnoopSnitch can warn when certain SS7 attacks occur against a phone,[17] and detect IMSI-catchers that allow call interception and other activities.[18][19]

In February 2016, 30% of the network of the largest mobile operator in Norway, Telenor, became unstable due to 'Unusual SS7 signaling from another European operator'.[20][21]

The security vulnerabilities of SS7 have been highlighted in U.S. governmental bodies, for example when in April 2016 US congressman Ted Lieu called for an oversight committee investigation.[22]

In May 2017, O2 Telefónica, a German mobile service provider, confirmed that the SS7 vulnerabilities had been exploited to bypass two-factor authentication to achieve unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts. The perpetrators installed malware on compromised computers, allowing them to collect online banking account credentials and telephone numbers. They set up redirects for the victims' telephone numbers to telephone lines controlled by them. Confirmation calls of two-factor authentication procedures were routed to telephone numbers controlled by the attackers. This enabled them to log into victims' online bank accounts and effect money transfers.[23]

In March 2018, a method was published for the detection of the vulnerabilities, through the use of open-source monitoring software such as Wireshark and Snort.[24][25] The nature of SS7 normally being used between consenting network operators on dedicated links means that any bad actor's traffic can be traced to its source.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ abcITU-T Recommendation Q.700
  2. ^ abcRonayne, John P (1986). The Digital Network Introduction to Digital Communications Switching (1 ed.). Indianapolis: Howard W. Sams & Co., Inc. ISBN0-672-22498-4.
  3. ^RFC 2719 - Framework Architecture for Signaling Transport
  4. ^ abcdefRussell, Travis (2002). Signaling System #7 (4 ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN978-0-07-138772-9.
  5. ^ITU-T Recommendation Q.700,03/93, Section 3.2.1, p. 7.
  6. ^ITU-T Recommendation Q.700, p. 4.
  7. ^(Dryburgh 2004, pp. 22–23).
  8. ^(Dryburgh 2004, p. 23).
  9. ^ITU-T Recommendation Q.700, Section 2.2.3, 'signaling modes', pp. 4-5.
  10. ^ ab'ITU-T Recommendation Q.703, Annex A, Additions for a national option for high speed signaling links'. International Telecommunication Union. pp. 81–86.
  11. ^'Understanding the Sigtran Protocol Suite: A Tutorial EE Times'. EETimes. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  12. ^ITU-T Recommendation Q.711, Section 1, 'Scope and field of application', pp 1-2.
  13. ^3GPP TS 48.008 Mobile Switching Centre - Base Station System (MSC-BSS) interface; Layer 3 specification
  14. ^Engel, Tobias (27 December 2008). 'Locating Mobile Phones using SS7'(Video). Youtube. 25th Chaos Communication Congress (25C3). Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  15. ^Timburg, Craig (24 August 2014). 'For sale: Systems that can secretly track where cellphone users go around the globe'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  16. ^Timburg, Craig (18 December 2014). 'German researchers discover a flaw that could let anyone listen to your cell calls'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  17. ^SnoopSnitch is for rooted Android mobile phones with Qualcomm chip
  18. ^Karsten Nohl (2014-12-27). 'Mobile self-defence'(PDF). Chaos Communication Congress.
  19. ^'SnoopSnitch'. Google Play. August 15, 2016.
  20. ^'Feilen i mobilnettet er funnet og rettet' (in Norwegian). Telenor ASA.
  21. ^'SS7 signalering – Et ondsinnet angrep mot Telenor ville hatt samme konsekvens' (in Norwegian). digi.no / Teknisk Ukeblad Media AS.
  22. ^'US congressman calls for investigation into vulnerability that lets hackers spy on every phone'. The Guardian. April 19, 2016.
  23. ^Khandelwal, Swati. 'Real-World SS7 Attack — Hackers Are Stealing Money From Bank Accounts'. The Hacker News. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  24. ^Corletti Estrada, Alejandro. 'Análisis de ataques/vulnerabilidades SS7/Sigtran empleando Wireshark (y/o tshark) y Snort'. Metodología de detección de vulnerabilidades SS7/Sigtran (in Spanish). Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  25. ^Corletti Estrada, Alejandro. 'Analysis of attacks/vulnerabilities SS7/Sigtran using Wireshark (and/or tshark) and Snort'. Vulnerability detection methodology SS7/Sigtran. Retrieved 2018-03-31.

Further reading[edit]

  • Dryburgh, Lee; Hewitt, Jeff (2004). Signaling System No. 7 (SS7/C7): Protocol, Architecture, and Services. Indianapolis: Cisco Press. ISBN1-58705-040-4.
  • Ronayne, John P. (1986). 'The Digital Network'. Introduction to Digital Communications Switching (1st ed.). Indianapolis: Howard W. Sams & Co., Inc. ISBN0-672-22498-4.
  • Russell, Travis (2002). Signaling System #7 (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN978-0-07-138772-9.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Signalling_System_No._7&oldid=909912833'

SS7 Tutorial Tutorial on SS7 Protocol

This SS7 Tutorial covers SS7 (Signaling System No.7) basics as defined in CCITT. The tutorial on SS7 protocol covers SS7 terminology, SS7 network, SS7 protocol stack, SS7 frame structure and SS7 signal units.

SS7 terminology

Trunk- Interexchange connection is called trunk.
SSP- Signal Switching point, SS7 capable telephone exchange which originate, switch and terminate calls.
STP- Signal Transfer Point, packet switches of the SS7 network, perform routing functions. It allow exchanges to send and receive signaling information from each other.
SCP- Signal Control Point, databases that support advanced call processing functions. Used in free phone services where called party is charged for the call made.
Tandem- Trunk Automatic Exchange, this connects two exchanges which might not have a direct trunk between them.

SS7 network overview

Ss7 Protocol Overview Pdf File

As shown in the figure, typical SS7 network is composed of CO, STP, SCP and tandem. All these entities are interconnected with signaling links, subscriber links and trunks. CO has same functions as SSP. CO has subscriber lines to connect to subscriber, trunk lines to connect to another exchange and signaling lines to connect with STP. Tandem does not have subscriber lines, it has only traffic trunk lines and signaling trunk lines. Let us understand how this works.

- Let us assume that a subscriber in exchange 1 dials a number 1-600-111-123. 1-600 numbers are virtual numbers; they will be mapped to real numbers available and existing.
- When Exchange 1 receives the dialed digits, it decides to send a message to the SCP.
- SCP is the database as mentioned which contains the information as to which number the call should be routed to.
- So the SCP-9 sends a response to 1 through 7 telling 1 to establish a call to 422-4444 which is the actual number that 1-600-111-123 points to.

The main task of carrying traffic is divided into mainly into four phases i.e. idle phase, connection set up phase, transfer phase and release phase. To make connection setup successful, network should have following.
-Identifying off-hook signal from calling party.
-Send calling subscriber dial tone, which indicates that telephone number can be dialed as the line is healthy.
-Receiving the digits of called subscriber.

SS7 protocol stack

SS7 protocol stack composed of following layers/levels.
Physical layer (layer1) - uses time slot no.16 in the case of PCM-30 (2.048 Mbps) and time slot no. 24 in PCM-24 (1.544 Mbps).
Data link layer (layer2) - performs functions such as error control, flow control, link initialization and more.
Signaling network layer (layer3) - At this layer, each node will have 14 bit address, known as signal point code. Each message exchanged will have source and destination codes.
Layer 1 to 3 together forms MTP (Message Transfer Part).
Layer 4 or level 4 is called as User part. MTP supports many different user parts. There are three main user parts which include TUP (telephone User Part), DUP (Data UP) and ISDN-UP.
SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part) has been added to level 3 to make compatible to layer-4 of OSI protocol stack.
ISP (Intermediate Service Part) performs functions similar to OSI layer 4 to layer 6. TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Application Part) performs functions similar to OSI layer 7.

SS7 Frame structure-HDLC

Ss7 Protocol Overview Pdf Download

Layer 2 protocol in SS7 follows HDLC frame format in the order as mentioned below.
Beginning Flag- 1 octet long, unique pattern 01111110, used to define start of the HDLC frame. Mainly used for synchronization purpose. Bit stuffing and un-stuffing concept is used to avoid misinterpreting the information having same pattern.
Address- 1 or 2 octets long,
Control- 1 octet long,
Information- variable length,
Check- 2 octets long, this field helps detect the error in the frame and hence can request for re-transmission if frame received is in error.
End Flag- 1 octet long, , unique pattern 01111110, used to define end of the HDLC frame

SS7 signal units

Information which need to be transmitted by layer-2/level-2 is framed as SU(signal unit). SU follows HDLC frame format as mentioned above. There are three SU types.
MSU- Message Signal Unit, transfers information provided by UP via signalling network level at layer3.
LSSU- Link Status Signal Unit, performs initialization of link and flow control.
FISU- Fill in Signal Unit, used for alignment maintenance when no signal traffic.


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