In the era of 5G networks, privacy concerns are becoming increasingly important for end users. The focus has turned to the handling of sensitive metadata transmitted from mobile devices to base stations during network registration. Previous generation cellular networks, such as 3G and 4G, lacked encryption during this transmission, leaving it vulnerable to interception by malicious actors. This paper delves into this issue, exploring the implications of such vulnerability and introducing a new approach in 5G networks that aims to address this problem. The technical details of the encryption schemes used to secure this sensitive information are discussed, along with any limitations of the new approach. Join us as we explore this pressing issue and the solutions being implemented to safeguard user privacy in the age of 5G.
Abstract:As 5G networks become more mainstream, privacy has come to the forefront of end users. More scrutiny has been shown to previous generation cellular technologies such as 3G and 4G on how they handle sensitive metadata transmitted from an end user mobile device to base stations during registration with a cellular network. These generation cellular networks do not enforce any encryption on this information transmitted during this process, giving malicious actors an easy way to intercept the information. Such an interception can allow an adversary to locate end users with shocking accuracy. This paper investigates this problem in great detail and discusses how a newly introduced approach in 5G networks is helping combat this problem. The paper discusses the implications of this vulnerability and the technical details of the new approach, including the encryption schemes used to secure this sensitive information. Finally, the paper will discuss any limitations to this new approach.