Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile commscommunity based Free / Open Source Software for
communications
Harald Welte
gnumonks.orghmw-consulting.desysmocom GmbH
Nov 26, 2017, KNF-Kongress
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Outline
1 Researching communications systems
2 The Osmocom project
3 Non-osmocom projects
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
About the speaker
Using + toying with Linux since 1994Kernel / bootloader / driver / firmware development since1999IT security expert, focus on network protocol securityFormer core developer of Linux packet filternetfilter/iptablesBoard-level Electrical EngineeringAlways looking for interesting protocols (RFID, DECT,GSM)OpenEXZ, OpenPCD, Openmoko, OpenBSC,OsmocomBB, OsmoSGSN
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
The Rolle of FOSS
What this talk is about
Implementing GSM/GPRS/3G network elements as FOSSApplied Protocol ArchaeologyDoing all of that on top of Linux (in userspace)From two nerds with a BTS off e-bay to a communityproject, several companies and real-world deploymentsaround the globe
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
The Rolle of FOSS
Research in TCP/IP/Ethernet
Assume you want to do some research in the TCP/IP/Ethernetcommunications area,
you use off-the-shelf hardware (x86, Ethernet card)you start with the Linux / *BSD stackyou add the instrumentation you needyou make your proposed modificationsyou do some testingyou write your paper and publish the results
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
The Rolle of FOSS
Research in (mobile) communications
Assume it is 2008 (before Osmocom) and you want to do someresearch in mobile comms
there is no FOSS implementation of any of the protocols orfunctional entitiesalmost no university has a test lab with the requiredequipment. And if they do, it is black boxes that you cannotmodify according to your research requirementsyou turn away at that point, or you cannot work on reallyexciting stuffonly chance is to partner with commercial company, whoputs you under NDAs and who wants to profit from yourresearch
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
The Rolle of FOSS
Running small (mobile) networks
Assume it is 2008 (before Osmocom) and you want to run asmall cellular network for research, education, testing. You
go to Ericsson/Huawei/ZTE/Nokia/Alcatel/...spend lots of time convincing them that youâĂŹre aneligible customerspend a six-digit figure for even the most basic full networkend up with black boxes that you can neither study orimprove
WTF?I used FOSS protocol stacks for the Internet since 1994and hacked on them since 1999. I knew a better world.
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
The Rolle of FOSS
GSM/3G vs. Internet
ObservationBoth GSM/3G and TCP/IP protocol specs are publiclyavailableThe Internet protocol stack (Ethernet/Wifi/TCP/IP) receiveslots of scrutinyGSM networks are as widely deployed as the InternetYet, GSM/3G protocols receive no such scrutiny!
There are reasons for that:GSM industry is extremely closed (and closed-minded)Only about 4 closed-source protocol stack implementationsGSM chipset makers never release any hardwaredocumentation
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
The Rolle of FOSS
GSM is more than phone calls
Listening to phone calls is boring...Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication
BMW can unlock/open your car via GSMAlarm systems often report via GSMSmart Metering (Utility companies)GSM-R / European Train Control SystemVending machines report that their cash box is fullControl if wind-mills supply power into the gridTransaction numbers for electronic banking
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Enter Osmocom
In 2008, two crazy Germans (Dieter Spaar + yours truly)started to write FOSS for GSM.
to boldly go where no FOSS hacker has gone beforewhere protocol stacks are deepand acronyms are plentifulwe went from bs11-abis to bsc_hack to OpenBSC toOsmoNITB + OsmoBSCmany other projects were createdfinally leading to the Osmocom umbrella project
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Siemens BS-11 via ebay
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Simplifying the GSM Network
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Osmocom / osmocom.org
Osmocom == Open Soruce Mobile CommunicationsClassic collaborative, community-driven FOSS projectGathers creative people who want to explore thisindustry-dominated closed mobile communications worldcommunication via mailing lists, IRCsoure code in git, information in trac/wikihttp://osmocom.org/
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OpenBSC
first Osmocom projectImplements GSM A-bis interface towards BTSPrimarily supports sysmoBTS and ip.access nanoBTSLimited support for some Siemens, Ericsson and NokiaBTS modelscan implement only BSC function (osmo-bsc) or a fullyautonomous self-contained GSM network (osmo-nitb) thatrequires no external MSC/VLR/AUC/HLR/EIRdeployed in (at least) > 300 installations world-wide,commercial and research
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
First OpenBSC test installation (HAR 2009)
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Osmocom Cellular Network use cases
can be used either as pure BSC (A-over-IP)suitable for operators with existing core(MSC/VLR/HLR/AUC)easy integration into existing infrastructure
or together with OsmoMSC, OsmoHLR to form a NetworkIn The Box
suitable for private / autonomous small networks (PBXstyle)no dependency on any other external componentconnect to the outside via ISDN or VoIP (using linux callrouter, osmo-sip-connector)off-shore drilling rigs, underground mining, alternative toPMR
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmoPCU / OsmoSGSN / OsmoGGSN
extends the Osmocom based network from GSM toGPRS/EDGE by implementing the classic PCU, SGSN andGGSN functional entitiesOsmoGGSN based on pre-existing OpenGGSN code thatwas abandoned by original authorWorks only with BTSs that provides Gb interface, likesysmoBTS or nanoBTSSuitable for research only, not production ready
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmoSGSN / OsmoGGSN use cases
Testing of M2M devices using your ownBTS+SGSN+GGSNMobile malware research (analyze cellular data traffic ofapps)Any type of GPRS related researchTeaching, training on mobile data protocols/interfaces(RLC, MAC, LLC, SNDCP, BSSGP, NS, GTP, etc.)3G / 3.5G support since 2016 by means of IuPS interface
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmoBTS
OpenBSC/OsmoNITB takes care of BTS and higherelementsOsmoBTS implements a BTS with A-bis/IP back-haul toOpenBSCDeveloped primarily for sysmoBTS hardwarePorted to various other hardware, even by some BTSvendors!
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Osmocom 3G
OsmoBTS,PCU,BSC,MSC,HLR,SGSN,GGSN developedfor 2G/2.5G/2.75Gin 2015/2016, we added 3G/3.5G supportOsmoMSC got IuCS interfaceOsmoSGSN got IuPS interfaceOsmoHLR got support for 3G mutual authenticationOsmoHNBGW for talking Iuh to femtocells
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
Osmocom Cellular Network in 2017
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomBB
Full baseband processor firmware implementation of amobile phone (MS)We re-use existing phone hardware and re-wrote the L1,L2, L3 and higher level logicHigher layers reuse code from OpenBSC whereverpossibleUsed in a number of universities and other researchcontexts
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomBB use cases
Applied security research on InfrastructureFuzzing / exploiting of protocol parsers on network sideRACH denial of serviceCheck if networks use random paddingDetect IMSI catchers or other fals base stationsAssess GSM network (operator) security level
Study + learn how a GSM stack / phone workProtocol tracing of your own transactions with the network
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomTETRA
SDR implementation of a TETRA radio-modem(PHY/MAC)Rx is fully implemented, Tx only partialCan be used for air interface interceptionAccompanied by wireshark dissectors for the TETRAprotocol stack
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomTETRA use cases
Analysis/assessment of TETRA network securityLearn how TETRA works on teh lowest levels (L1, MAC,L3)Protocol analysis / sniffing / intercepting unencryptednetworks
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomGMR
ETSI GMR (Geo Mobile Radio) is "GSM for satellites"GMR-1 used by Thuraya satellite networkOsmocomGMR implements SDR based radiomodem +PHY/MAC (Rx)Partial wireshark dissectors for the protocol stackReverse engineered implementation of GMR-A5 cryptoSpeech codec is proprietary, still needs reverseengineering
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomGMR use cases
Analysis/assessment of GMR/Thuraya security (there isnone)Learn and understnad how satellite telephony L1 andprotocol workActual interception of SMS + dataVoice still difficult due to proprietary undocumented codec
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomDECT
ETSI DECT (Digital European Cordless Telephony) is usedin millions of cordless phonesdeDECTed.org project started with open source protocolanalyzers and demonstrated many vulnerabilitiesOsmocomDECT is an implementation of the DECThardware drivers and protocols for the Linux kernelIntegrates with Asterisk
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomOP25
APCO25 is Professional PMR system used in the USCan be compared to TETRA in EuropeOsmocomOP25 is again SDR receiver + protocol analyzerUse cases like OsmocomTETRA
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmoSDR
small, low-power / low-cost USB SDR hardwarehigher bandwidth than FunCubeDonglePromuch lower cost than USRPOpen HardwareDeveloper units available
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
rtl-sdr
re-purpose a USD 20 DVB-T USB dongle based onRealtek chipsetdeactivate/bypass DVB-T demodulator / MPEG decoderpass baseband samples via high-speed USB into PCno open hardware, but Free Software
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
OsmocomSIMTRACE
Hardware protocol tracer for SIM - phone interfaceWireshark protocol dissector for SIM-ME protocol (TS11.11)Can be used for SIM Application development / analysisAlso capable of SIM card emulation and man-in-the-middleattacks
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
osmo_ss7, osmo_map, signerl
Erlang-language SS7 implementation (MTP3, SCCP,TCAP, MAP)SIGTRAN variants (M2PA, M2UA, M3UA and SUA)Enables us to interface with GSM/UMTS inter-operatorcore networkAlready used in production in some really nastyspecial-purpose protocol translators (think of NAT for SS7)
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
osmo_ss7, osmo_map, signerl use cases
Implement GSM/3G core network elements (HLR, SCF,etc.)Applications that interact with GSM/3G core networkelementsMostly useful for small MVNOs or other operators whohave requirements that cannot be fulfilled with off-the-shelfproprietary equipment.
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Osmocom sub-projects
More Osmocom projects
Have a look at http://git.osmcoom.org/100 public git repositories / projects at this point
way too many to cover here in this talkOften RTFS, no manual/docs
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
The OpenBTS Um - SIP bridge
OpenBTS is a SDR implementation of GSM Um radiointerfacedirectly bridges to SIP/RTP, no A-bis/BSC/A/MSCsuitable for research on air interface, but very different fromtraditional GSM networkswork is being done to make it interoperable with OpenBSC
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
airprobe.org
SDR implementation of Um sniffersuitable for receiving GSM Um downlink and uplinkpredates all of the other projectsmore or less abandoned at this point
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
xgoldmon
extract all GSM/GPRS and even 3G protocol messagesfrom your Samsung Galaxy 2, Galaxy 3, Note 2, Nexusphone via USBfeed them into your PC running xgoldmonforward them from xgoldmon via GSMTAP into wiresharkhttps://github.com/2b-as/xgoldmon
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
sysmocom GmbHsystems for mobile communications
small company, started by two Osmocom developers inBerlinprovides commercial R&d and support for professionalusers of Osmocom softwaredevelops + sells products like sysmoBTS (inexpensive,small-form-factor, OpenBSC compatible BTS)runs a small webshop for Osmocom related hardwareitems like SIMtrace
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
Where do we go from here?
Now that we have GSM, GPRS, EGPRS, UMTS: LTE, ofcourseRe-using femtocells in creative waysProprietary PMR systems
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
Call for contributions
Don’t you agree that classic Internet/TCP/IP is boring andhas been researched to death?There are many more communications systems out thereNever trust the industry, they only care about selling theirstuffLets democratize access to those communication systemsBecome a contributor or developer today!Join our mailing lists, use/improve our codefor OsmocomBB you only need a EUR 20 phone to start
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
Thanks
I’d like to thank the many Osmocom developers andcontributors, especially
Dieter SpaarHolger FreytherAndreas EversbergSylvain MunautNeels Hofmeyr
Also, thanks to CEPT for permitting the GSM specs to bewritten in English (not French, the official Language of theinternational postal system)
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Osmocom project
Non-osmocom projects
Future projects
Thanks
Thanks for your attention. I hope we have time for Q&A.EOF.
Harald Welte osmocom.org - FOSS for mobile comms
Researching communications systemsThe Rolle of FOSS
The Osmocom projectOsmocom sub-projects
Non-osmocom projectsFuture projects