Attacks Against GSMA’s M2M Remote Provisioning (Short Paper)

Abstract

GSMA is developing and standardizing specifications for embedded SIM cards with remote provisioning, called eUICCs, which are expected to revolutionize the cellular network subscription model. We study GSMA’s “Remote Provisioning Architecture for Embedded UICC” specification, which focuses on M2M devices, and we analyze the security of remote provisioning. Our analysis reveals weaknesses in the specification that would result in eUICCs being vulnerable to attacks: we demonstrate how a network adversary can exhaust an eUICC’s memory, and we identify three classes of attacks by malicious insiders that prevent service. We disclosed our findings to GSMA; GSMA confirmed the validity of these attacks and acknowledged their potential to disrupt the cellular industry. We propose fixes, which GSMA is incorporating into its specification. Thus, we improve security of next generation telecommunication networks.