Murat: Multi-RAT False Base Station Detector

TL;DR

Murat is a network-based false base station detection system that leverages existing mobile network data, avoiding the need for user-installed software, and enhances detection accuracy by utilizing network topology information.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel network-based false base station detection method that operates without modifying mobile phones and exploits network topology data for improved accuracy.

Findings

System validated in lab and real operator trial

Adopted by 3GPP standardization organization

Operates on any 3GPP radio access technology

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in false base station detection systems. Most of these rely on software that users download into their mobile phones. The software either performs an analysis of radio environment measurements taken by the mobile phone or reports these measurements to a server on the Internet, which then analyzes the aggregated measurements collected from many mobile phones. These systems suffer from two main drawbacks. First, they require modification to the mobile phones in the form of software and an active decision to participate from users. This severely limits the number of obtained measurements. Second, they do not make use of the information the mobile network has regarding network topology and configuration. This results in less reliable predictions than could be made. We present a network-based system for detecting false base stations that operate on any 3GPP radio access technology, without requiring modifications to mobile phones, and that allows taking full advantage of network topology and configuration information available to an operator. The analysis is performed by the mobile network based on measurement reports delivered by mobile phones as part of normal operations to maintain the wireless link. We implemented and validated the system in a lab experiment and a real operator trial. Our approach was adopted by the 3GPP standardization organization.