Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating spoofing attacks on security edge protection proxy (SEPP) inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) forwarding interface

Abstract

A method for mitigating spoofing attacks on an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface includes obtaining, by a responding SEPP, a first SEPP identifier and/or a first PLMN identifier from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface. The method further includes storing the first SEPP identifier and/or the first PLMN identifier in an identity cross-validation database. The method further includes obtaining, from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN forwarding interface a second SEPP identifier and/or a second PLMN identifier and performing a lookup in the identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising at least one of the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier, determining that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the identity cross-validation database, and, in response, preventing the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the responding SEPP.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to enhancing security in 5G communication networks. More particularly, the subject matter described herein relates to methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating spoofing attacks on an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface.

BACKGROUND

In 5G telecommunications networks, the network node that provides service is referred to as a producer network function (NF). A network node that consumes services is referred to as a consumer NF. A network function can be both a producer NF and a consumer NF depending on whether it is consuming or providing service.

A given producer NF may have many service endpoints, where a service endpoint is the point of contact for one or more NF instances hosted by the producer NF. The service endpoint is identified by a combination of Internet protocol (IP) address and port number or a fully qualified domain name that resolves to an IP address and port number on a network node that hosts a producer NF. An NF instance is an instance of a producer NF that provides a service. A given producer NF may include more than one NF instance. It should also be noted that multiple NF instances can share the same service endpoint.

Producer NFs register with a network function repository function (NRF). The NRF maintains service profiles of available NF instances identifying the services supported by each NF instance. Consumer NFs can subscribe to receive information about producer NF instances that have registered with the NRF.

In addition to consumer NFs, another type of network node that can subscribe to receive information about NF service instances is a service communication proxy (SCP). The SCP subscribes with the NRF and obtains reachability and service profile information regarding producer NF service instances. Consumer NFs connect to the SCP, and SCP load balances traffic among producer NF service instances that provide the required service or directly routes the traffic to the destination producer NF instance.

In addition to the SCP, other examples of intermediate proxy nodes or groups of network nodes that route traffic between producer and consumer NFs include the security edge protection proxy (SEPP), the service gateway, and nodes in the 5G service mesh. The SEPP is the network node used to protect control plane traffic that is exchanged between different 5G public land mobile networks (PLMNs). As such, the SEPP performs message filtering, policing and topology hiding for all application programming interface (API) messages.

One vulnerability that exists with the current 5G network architecture occurs on the N32 interface, which is the interface between SEPPs. As indicated above, an SEPP acts as the security screening node for a public land mobile network (PLMN). The N32 control or N32-c interface is used for the exchange of control messages with a remote SEPP. Initiation of communications on the N32-c interface involves a transport layer security (TLS) handshake procedure to establish a TLS connection for the exchange of N32 control messages. After the exchange of N32-c messages, a second TLS handshake occurs to establish a second TLS connection for the N32 forwarding or N32-f interface. The only validation that occurs on the N32-f interface is whether the TLS certificate is valid and issued by a trusted certificate authority. As a result, a hacker SEPP can spoof the identity of a real SEPP and engage in unauthorized service communications on the forwarding interface with the PLMN protected by the SEPP. There is also no validation of the PLMN in service messages received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface.

In light of these and other difficulties, there exists a need for methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating spoofing attacks on an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface.

SUMMARY

A method for mitigating spoofing attacks on a security edge protection proxy (SEPP) inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) forwarding interface includes obtaining, by a responding SEPP and from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface, at least one of a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier. The method further includes storing the at least one of the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database. The method further includes obtaining, by the responding SEPP and from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN forwarding interface, at least one of a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier. The method further includes performing a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising the at least one of the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier. The method further includes determining that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, and, in response, preventing the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the responding SEPP.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, the inter-PLMN control interface comprises an N32-c interface and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises an N32-f interface.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, obtaining at least one of the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier from the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface includes obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first certificate contained in a first transport layer security (TLS) certificate message received over the inter-PLMN control interface during a TLS handshake for establishing a first TLS connection for the N32-c interface.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, the first certificate comprises a first X.509 certificate.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, obtaining the first SEPP identifier includes extracting the first SEPP identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the first X.509 certificate.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, obtaining at least one of the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface includes obtaining the second SEPP identifier from a second certificate contained in a second TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for establishing a second TLS connection for the N32-f interface.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, the second certificate comprises a second X.509 certificate.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, obtaining the second SEPP identifier includes extracting the second SEPP identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the second X.509 certificate.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, obtaining the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface comprises obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up a first TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface and obtaining the first PLMN identifier from an N32-c security capability exchange message received over the first TLS connection and obtaining the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message associated received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises obtaining the second SEPP identifier from a second TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up a second TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface and obtaining the second PLMN identifier from a 5G service message received over the second TLS connection.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, the lookup key comprises a tuple including the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, a system for mitigating spoofing attacks on a security edge protection proxy (SEPP) inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) forwarding interface is provided. The system includes a security edge protection proxy (SEPP) including at least one processor and a memory. The system further includes an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database residing in the memory. The system further includes an inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity spoofing mitigation module implemented by the at least one processor and configured to: obtain, from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface, at least one of a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier; store the at least one of the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database; obtain, from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN forwarding interface, at least one of a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier; perform a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising the at least one of the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier; determine that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, and, in response, prevent the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the SEPP.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, the inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity spoofing mitigation module is configured to extract the first SEPP identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the first X.509 certificate.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, the second certificate comprises a second X.509 certificate and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity spoofing mitigation module is configured to obtain the second identifier includes by extracting the second identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the X.509 certificate.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described herein, a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by a processor of a computer to perform steps is provided. The steps include obtaining, by a responding security edge protection proxy (SEPP) and from at least one message received over an inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) control interface, at least one of a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier. The steps further include storing the at least one of the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database. The steps further include obtaining, by the responding SEPP and from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN forwarding interface, at least one of a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier. The steps further include performing a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising the at least one of the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier. The steps further include determining that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, and, in response, preventing the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the responding SEPP.

The subject matter described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. As such, the terms “function” “node” or “module” as used herein refer to hardware, which may also include software and/or firmware components, for implementing the feature being described. In one exemplary implementation, the subject matter described herein may be implemented using a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps. Exemplary computer readable media suitable for implementing the subject matter described herein include non-transitory computer-readable media, such as disk memory devices, chip memory devices, programmable logic devices, and application specific integrated circuits. In addition, a computer readable medium that implements the subject matter described herein may be located on a single device or computing platform or may be distributed across multiple devices or computing platforms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter described herein will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an exemplary 5G network architecture;

FIG. 2 is a network diagram illustrating two SEPPs and the interfaces between the SEPPs;

FIG. 3 is a message flow diagram illustrating exemplary messages exchanged between a client and a server in a TLS handshake;

FIG. 4 is a network diagram illustrating a hacker impersonating an SEPP;

FIG. 5 is a message flow diagram illustrating exemplary messages exchanged between SEPPs when an attacker SEPP successfully impersonates a legitimate SEPP on the N32-f interface;

FIG. 6 is a message flow diagram illustrating the screening of an SEPP identity presented on the N32-f interface;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of an SEPP for mitigating spoofing attacks on an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for mitigating spoofing attacks on an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein relates to methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating 5G roaming spoofing attacks on an inter-PLMN forwarding interface of an SEPP. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary 5G system network architecture. The architecture in FIG. 1 includes NRF 100 and SCP 101, which may be located in the same home public land mobile network (HPLMN). As described above, NRF 100 may maintain profiles of available producer NF service instances and their supported services and allow consumer NFs or SCPs to subscribe to and be notified of the registration of new/updated producer NF service instances. SCP 101 may also support service discovery and selection of producer NF instances. SCP 101 may perform load balancing of connections between consumer and producer NFs. In addition, using the methodologies described herein, SCP 101 may perform preferred NF location based selection and routing.

NRF 100 is a repository for NF or service profiles of producer NF instances. In order to communicate with a producer NF instance, a consumer NF or an SCP must obtain the NF or service profile or the producer NF instance from NRF 100. The NF or service profile is a JavaScript object notation (JSON) data structure defined in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 29.510. The NF or service profile definition includes at least one of a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), an Internet protocol (IP) version 4 (IPv4) address or an IP version 6 (IPv6) address. In FIG. 1, any of the nodes (other than NRF 100) can be either consumer NFs or producer NFs, depending on whether they are requesting or providing services. In the illustrated example, the nodes include a policy control function (PCF) 102 that performs policy related operations in a network, a unified data management (UDM) function 104 that manages user data, and an application function (AF) 106 that provides application services. The nodes illustrated in FIG. 1 further include a session management function (SMF) 108 that manages sessions between access and mobility management function (AMF) 110 and PCF 102. AMF 110 performs mobility management operations similar to those performed by a mobility management entity (MME) in 4G networks. An authentication server function (AUSF) 112 performs authentication services for user equipment (UEs), such as user equipment (UE) 114, seeking access to the network.

A network slice selection function (NSSF) 116 provides network slicing services for devices seeking to access specific network capabilities and characteristics associated with a network slice. A network exposure function (NEF) 118 provides application programming interfaces (APIs) for application functions seeking to obtain information about Internet of things (IoT) devices and other UEs attached to the network. NEF 118 performs similar functions to the service capability exposure function (SCEF) in 4G networks.

A radio access network (RAN) 120 connects user equipment (UE) 114 to the network via a wireless link. Radio access network 120 may be accessed using a g-Node B (gNB) (not shown in FIG. 1) or other wireless access point. A user plane function (UPF) 122 can support various proxy functionality for user plane services. One example of such proxy functionality is multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) proxy functionality. UPF 122 may also support performance measurement functionality, which may be used by UE 114 to obtain network performance measurements. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a data network (DN) 124 through which UEs access data network services, such as Internet services.

SEPP 126 filters incoming traffic from another PLMN and performs topology hiding for traffic exiting the home PLMN. SEPP 126 may communicate with an SEPP in a foreign PLMN which manages security for the foreign PLMN. Thus, traffic between NFs in different PLMNs may traverse two SEPP functions, one for the home PLMN and the other for the foreign PLMN.

As stated above, one problem with the existing 5G architecture is that there is no validation of the SEPP identity or PLMN identity presented on the inter-PLMN forwarding interface of the SEPP. In the absence of validation of the SEPP identity or the PLMN on the inter-PLMN forwarding interface, a malicious SEPP can try to spoof the identity of another SEPP or PLMN identity and launch security attacks, including denial of service attacks, using service traffic transmitted over the forwarding interface. The responding SEPP does not validate whether the SEPP or PLMN identity presented on the inter-PLMN forwarding interface is from a legitimate initiating SEPP and/or PLMN. As used herein, the term “initiating SEPP” refers to the SEPP that requests the TLS connections on the inter-PLMN control interface and inter-PLMN forwarding interface. The term “responding SEPP” refers to the SEPP that receives requests for TLS connections on the inter-PLMN control interface and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface. The subject matter described herein addresses this and other difficulties by cross-validating the identity of an SEPP with presented on the inter-PLMN forwarding interface with an identity of the SEPP presented on the inter-PLMN control interface.

In the 3GPP network architecture, the SEPP is the proxy for inter-PLMN control messages. According to 3GPP TS 33.501, the SEPP provides message protection, mutual authentication, key management, topology hiding, access control, discarding of malformed N32 signaling messages, rate limiting, and anti-spoofing. The subject matter described herein includes an implementation of anti-spoofing for communications on the N32-f interface.

FIG. 2 illustrates SEPPs and interfaces between the SEPPs. Referring to FIG. 2, SEPP 126A and SEPP 126B communicate over the N32 interface. The N32 interface includes two different interfaces, the N32-c interface and the N32-f interface. The N32-c interface is a control plane interface between SEPPs for performing an initial handshake and negotiating the parameters to be applied during N32 message forwarding. The N32-f interface is a forwarding interface between SEPPs which is used for forwarding communications between NF service consumers and NF service producers after applying application level security protection.

In addition to the N32 interface, FIG. 2 also illustrates the PRINS interface. The PRINS interface is used to forward messages between SEPPs 126A and 126B via one or more IP exchange (IPX) providers 200 and 202. However, it is the N32-c and N32-f TLS connections that are of interest to the subject matter described herein.

For secure communications, separate TLS connections are established on the N32-c and N32-f interfaces. FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary messages exchange between a client and a server in a TLS handshake used to establish a TLS connection. In FIG. 3, the client sends a ClientHello message to the server. The server then sends ServerHello, Certificate, ServerKeyExchange, CertificateRequest and ServerHelloDone message to the client. In response to these messages, the client sends a Certificate message, ClientKeyExchange message, CertificateVerify message, and Finished message to the server. It is the certificate message from the client to the server that a responding SEPP (acting as the server for purposes of TLS connection establishment) described herein uses to obtain an X.509 certificate. For verifying the identity of an initiating SEPP. In one example, the sender's identity extracted from the X.509 certificate of the TLS handshake for establishing the TLS connection for N32-c communications may be used to cross validate the sender's N32-f identity. As stated above, the TLS handshake protocol is defined in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comments (RFC) 5246 and includes the exchange of certificate messages by both ends of the TLS connection. The structure of a TLS handshake message defined in IETF RFC 5246, including the certificate message, appears below:

enum {
hello_request(0), client_hello(1), server_hello(2),
certificate(11), server_key_exchange (12),
certificate_request(13), server_hello_done(14),
certificate_verify(15), client_key_exchange(16),
finished(20), (255)
} HandshakeType;
struct {
HandshakeType msg_type;   /* handshake type */
uint24 length;            /* bytes in message */
select (HandshakeType) {
case hello_request:       HelloRequest;
case client_hello:        ClientHello;
case server_hello:        ServerHello;
case certificate:         Certificate;
case server_key_exchange: ServerKeyExchange;
case certificate_request: CertificateRequest;
case server_hello_done:   ServerHelloDone;
case certificate_verify:  CertificateVerify;
case client_key_exchange: ClientKeyExchange;
case finished:            Finished;
} body;
} Handshake;

As illustrated by the TLS handshake message structure, one of the defined handshake message types is the certificate message, which contains the certificate of the client or server, depending on whether the sender is functioning as a client or a server. In establishing secure TLS communications over the N32-c interface, mutual TLS or m-TLS is used where both ends of the TLS connection receive and validate the other end's X.509 certificate. IETF RFC 5246 indicates that the type of certificate must be X.509v3 unless expressly negotiated otherwise. The examples described herein use the X.509v3 certificate as an example, but the subject matter described herein is not limited to only using the identity of the sender extracted from an X.509v3 certificate to validate an N32-f identity of a sender. The X.509v3 certificate format is defined in IETF RFC 3280. According to IETF RFC 3280, one extension or parameter that may be included in an X.509v3 certificate is the subject alternative names extension. The subject alternative names extension is defined as follows:

• • The subject alternative names extension allows additional identities to be bound to the subject of the certificate. Defined options include an Internet electronic mail address, a DNS name, an IP address, and a uniform resource identifier (URI). Other options exist, including completely local definitions. Multiple name forms, and multiple instances of each name form, MAY be included. Whenever such identities are to be bound into a certificate, the subject alternative name (or issuer alternative name) extension MUST be used; however, a DNS name MAY be represented in the subject field using the domainComponent attribute as described in section 4.1.2.4. Because the subject alternative name is considered to be definitively bound to the public key, all parts of the subject alternative name MUST be verified by the CA.

As indicated above, the subject alternative names extension of the X.509v3 certificate may contain a DNS name, IP address, or a URI that identifies the subject of the certificate and that is verified by the certificate authority. Because the subject alternative name is verified by the certificate authority, the subject alternative name is difficult to spoof. However, simply ensuring that a sender has a valid X.509 certificate does not validate the identity of the sender at the N32-f application level. To perform such cross-validation, responding SEPP 126B may extract the identity of the sender from the certificate message used to establish the TLS connection for N32-c communications, extract the identity of the sender from the certificate message used to establish the TLS connection for N32-f communications, and compare these identities. If the identities match, responding SEPP 126B may perform a further validation step of comparing the identity extracted from either certificate message with a database of configured peer SEPP identities. If either validation fails, the responding SEPP may block inter-PLMN communications associated with the TLS connection for N32-f communications.

FIG. 4 illustrates and exemplary attack scenario that can occur if there is no cross-validation of identities used on the N32-c and N32-f interfaces. In FIG. 4, an initiating SEPP 126A located in PLMN1 may establish a TLS connection on the N32-c interface with responding SEPP 126B. A hacker SEPP 300 located in PLMN3 may establish a TLS connection for N32-f communications with SEPP 126B. Because there is no cross-validation of the identity used in the TLS connection for the N32-f communications with the identity used in the TLS connection for the N32-c communications. Hacker SEPP 300 and hacker NF 302 located in PLMN3 can send attack traffic to responding SEPP 126B and producer NF 304 located in PLMN2. In one example, such attack traffic may be used to implement a denial of service attack that prevents consumer NF 306 located in PLMN1 from obtaining service from producer NF 304.

FIG. 5 illustrates an attack scenario for N32-f communications in more detail. In FIG. 5, a TLS connection is established for N32-c communications between initiating SEPP 126A and responding SEPP 126B. After the TLS connection is established for N32-c communications, initiating SEPP 126A and responding SEPP 126B exchange N32-c securities capability messages over the TLS connection.

Once the N32-c connection is established, initiating SEPP 126A and responding SEPP 126B perform a second TLS handshake for N32-f communications. Once the second TLS connection is established, initiating SEPP 126A and responding SEPP 126B may exchange 5G service request and response messages between consumer and producer NFs in their respective PLMNs.

Because there is no cross-validation of N32-f TLS identities with N32-c TLS identities, hacker SEPP 300 can it initiate a TLS handshake with responding SEPP 126B. Responding SEPP 126B checks to see if the certificate was issued by a valid certificate authority. However, there is no cross-validation with identities obtained on other interfaces. As a result, hacker SEPP 300 can establish a TLS connection for N32-f communications and send 5G request messages to producer NFs in the network protected by responding SEPP 126B pretending to be SEPP 126A, which may cause a denial of service or other issues in the PLMN protected by responding. SEPP 126B.

To protect against this type of attack, responding SEPP 126B may store the identity of an initiating SEPP received on the N32-c interface and use that identity to cross-validate the identity of an initiating SEPP in a TLS connection for N32-f communications. FIG. 6 illustrates the cross-validation that may be performed by a responding SEPP. Referring to FIG. 6, in line 1, initiating SEPP 126A and responding SEPP 126B exchange TLS messages for establishing a TLS connection for N32-c communications. In lines 2 and 3, initiating SEPP 126A and responding SEPP 126B exchange N32-c, securities capability exchange messages.

After line 2, responding. SEPP 126B may store the identity of initiating SEPP 126A extracted from the X-509 certificate for the first TLS connection and the PLMN of initiating SEPP 128C from the N32-c security capability exchange message from line 2 in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database 600. Responding SEPP 126B may use the identities stored in SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database 600 to validate N32-f identities presented by initiating SEPPs.

Since SEPP 126B is the responding SEPP for purposes of the N32-c security capability negotiation transaction, responding SEPP 126B may extract the N32-c identity from the sender ID attribute of an N32-c SecNegotiateReqData information element of an HTTP POST message from initiating SEPP 126A. Table 1 and 2 below corresponds to Tables 6.1.5.2.2.1 of 3GPP TS 29.573, which illustrates the attributes that may be included in the SecNegotiateReqData information element that is part of the N32-c security capability negotiation.

TABLE 1
Definition of type SecNegotiateReqData
Attribute name	Data type	P	Cardinality	Description
sender	Fqdn	M	1	This IE shall uniquely
				identify the SEPP that
				is sending the request.
				This IE is used to store
				the negotiated security
				capability against the
				right SEPP.
supportedSecCapabilityList	array(Security Capability)	M	1 . . . N	This IE shall contain
				the list of security
				capabilities that the
				requesting SEPP supports.

As can be seen from Table 1, the sender attribute is a mandatory parameter of both the SecNegotiateReqData information element and contains the FQDN of the SEPP that sends the request. The PLMN of the SEPP can be obtained from the FQDN of the sending SEPP. For example, if the FQDN of the sending SEPP is sepp1.5gc.mnc123.mcc456.3gppnetwork.org, then the PLMN portion of the FQDN is 5gc.mnc123.mcc456.3gppnetwork.org. As will be described in detail below, the PLMN of the sender is included in 5G core (5GC) or service messages exchanged on the N32-f interface and can be used to validate the subsequent 5GC messages even if the TLS identities used for N32-c and N32-f communications match. This additional check prevents an SEPP that is identified as trusted in the first check from sending a false PLMN identity in subsequent messages exchanged on the forwarding interface. In line 4, initiating SEPP 126A initiates a TLS handshake with responding SEPP 126B for N32-f communications. Responding SEPP 126B may extract the identity of initiating SEPP 126A from the X.509 certificate used for the second TLS handshake. Responding SEPP 126B may perform a lookup in SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database 600 to determine whether the identity of initiating SEPP 126A for the N32-c communications matches the identity presented on the N32-f interface. In this example, the identities match. As a result, in lines 5 and 6, initiating SEPP 126A sends a 5G service request message to responding SEPP 126B, and responding SEPP 126B sends a 5G service response message to initiating SEPP 126A.

In line 7, hacker SEPP 300 sends messages to responding SEPP 126B to initiate a TLS connection for N32-f communications with responding SEPP 126B. Responding SEPP 126B extracts the identity presented by hacker SEPP 300 for the TLS connection from the X.509 certificate of the certificate message in the TLS handshake procedure. Responding SEPP 126B performs a lookup in database 600 and does not find the identity presented by hacker SEPP 300 to be present in database 600. Because the identity presented by hacker SEPP 300 is not present in database 600, the cross-validation fails, and responding SEPP 300 blocks the 5G service request message from the hacker PLMN in line 8. In another example, responding SEPP 126B may receive the 5G service request message in line 8, extract the PLMN identity from the 5G service request message, and perform a lookup in database 600 using a lookup key that includes both the N32-c TLS SEPP identity and the N32-c the PLMN identity. If a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in database 600, responding SEPP 126B may prevent inter-PLMN traffic received on the TLS connection for the N32-f interface from entering the PLMN.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture for responding SEPP 126B. SEPP 126B includes at least one processor 700 and a memory 702. SEPP 126B further includes an inter-PLMN forwarding interface spoofing mitigation module 704 that performs the steps described herein for cross-validating the TLS identity presented by an SEPP on the N32-c interface with identities presented by real or hacker SEPPs on the N32-f interface. Inter-PLMN forwarding interface spoofing mitigation module 704 may also cross-validate the PLMN presented by an SEPP on the N32-c interface with the PLMN presented by an SEPP on the N32-f interface. SEPP 126B further includes SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database 600 that is dynamically populated by inter-PLMN forwarding interface spoofing mitigation module 704 with identities and/or PLMNs of SEPPs obtained on the N32-c interface. SEPP 126B may use the SEPP identities and/or the PLMN identities stored in SEPP forwarding interface identity cross-validation database 600 to cross-validate TLS level SEPP identities and/or service level PLMN identities presented on the N32-f interface.

SEPP 126B may also include a peer SEPP database 706 that is configured with identities of peer SEPPs with which inter-PLMN communications are allowed. inter-PLMN forwarding interface spoofing mitigation module 704 may be implemented by processor 700 and may also perform a cross check of the N32-f identity presented by a remote node against the peer SEPP identities stored in database 706. If the identity of a remote node presented in a certificate exchanged during TLS connection establishment for an N32-f interface is not present in database 706 or if the cross check between the N32-c and N32-f identities fails, inter-PLMN forwarding interface spoofing mitigation module 704 may block inter-PLMN communications with the remote node. If both identity cross checks pass, inter-PLMN forwarding interface spoofing mitigation module 704 may allow inter-PLMN communications with the remote node.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for mitigating 5G speaking attacks. Referring to FIG. 8, in step 800, the SEPP obtains, from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface, at least one of a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier. For example, a responding SEPP 126B may extract an identity for a sending node from an alternative ID field of a X.509 certificate in a TLS message received from a sending node seeking to establish N32-c communications with the responding SEPP. The TLS message may be a certificate message exchanged with a remote node as part of the TLS handshake procedure used to establish the TLS connection with the remote node. The sending node may be an initiating SEPP associated with another PLMN.

In step 800, the responding SEPP may also (optionally) obtain the first PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface. For example, SEPP 126B may extract the first PLMN identifier from the sender attribute of the SecNegotiateReqData information element transmitted during N32-c security capability negotiations over the first TLS connection and store the PLMN identifier in the database.

In step 802, the responding SEPP stores the at least one of the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database. For example, SEPP 126A may store the first SEPP identifier, the first PLMN identifier, or both (depending on the level of security screening required by the network operator) in database 600. Table 2 shown below illustrates the status of the database after being populated with the SEPP identifier and the PLMN identifier receive over the inter-PLMN control interface.

TABLE 2
N32-c TLS Identities and PLMN Identities
SEPP N32-c TLS Identity          SEPP N32-c PLMN
sepp1.5gc.mnc123.mcc456.3gppnetwork.org mnc123.mcc456.3gppnetwork.org
sepp2.5gc.mnc321.mcc654.3gppnetwork.org .mnc321.mcc654.3gppnetwork.org
192.168.0.1                      192.168.0

In Table 2, the first column includes SEPP identities extracted from N32-c TLS certificate messages, and the second column includes PLMN identities extracted from N32-c security capability exchange messages. It should be noted that in Table 2, the PLMNs obtained from the N32-c security capability exchange messages are the same as the PLMNs extracted from the X.509 certificates from the TLS messages. Thus, storing the PLMNs extracted from the N32-c security capability exchange messages is optional in this case. If the PLMN from the N32-c security capability exchange message does not match the PLMN obtained from the N32-c TLS connection, then inter-PLMN communications from the sender of the N32-c message may be blocked.

In step 804, the responding SEPP obtains, from at least one message received of the inter-PLMN forwarding interface, at least one of a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier. For example, the responding SEPP may obtain a second SEPP identifier from a TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for establishing a TLS connection for the N32-f interface and/or a second PLMN identifier from a 5GC service message received over the TLS connection for the forwarding interface.

In step 806, the responding SEPP performs a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising at least one of the second TLS SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier. For example, the responding SEPP may use a lookup key comprising the second TLS SEPP identifier, the second PLMN identifier, or a tuple including the N32-f TLS SEPP identifier and the N32-f PLMN identifier to perform a lookup in database 600.

In step 808, the responding SEPP determines if a matching record is present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database. If a matching record is not present, this is indicative of an attack, and control proceeds to step 810 where the responding SEPP prevents the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering the PLMN protected by the responding SEPP. For example, the responding SEPP may block the initial message or messages for which the validation failed and subsequent messages received over the TLS connection established for the N32-f interface if the SEPP and/or PLMN identity cross validation fails. If the validation is performed based only on cross-validation of the N32-f TLS SEPP identity with the N32-c TLS SEPP identity and prior to completing establishment of the TLS connection for the N32-f interface, establishment of the TLS connection for the N32-f interface may also be prevented.

In step 808, if a matching identifier is determined to be present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, control proceeds to step 812 where the responding SEPP performs a lookup for the second SEPP identifier in the peer SEPP database. The peer SEPP database may be provisioned by the network operator with the identities of SEPPs with which a given SEPP in the operator's network is permitted to communicate. Such SEPPs are referred to herein as peer SEPPs because they may be associated with PLMNs of peer network operators.

In step 814, if the second SEPP identifier is present in the peer SEPP database, control proceeds to step 816 where the SEPP allows messages received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface to enter the PLMN protected by the SEPP.

The inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation can be used in combination with the identity validation described in commonly-assigned, co-pending Indian Provisional Patent Application Number: 202041041754; filed Sep. 25, 2020 (hereinafter, “the '754 Application”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The identity verification described in the '754 Application includes extracting the identity of a sending node from a TLS certificate message received for establishing the TLS connection for N32-c communications. This is the same identity described herein that is used for cross validation with the identity extracted from the TLS connection for N32-f communications. In the '754 Application, the TLS identity for N32-c communications is used to validate an identity extracted from an N32-c security capability exchange message. For example, the responding SEPP may extract the N32-c identity from the sender ID attribute of an N32-c SecNegotiateReqData information element of an HTTP POST message from the remote node. If the N32-c identity matches the TLS identity for the TLS connection for N32-c communications, this validation check passes. If the N32-c identity does not match the TLS identity for the TLS connection for N32-c communications, the validation check fails.

Because the N32-c communications should occur prior to the TLS connection establishment for N32-f communication, the validation check performed in the '754 Application may be performed prior to the validation check described herein. If the validation check described in the '754 application fails, then N32-c and N-32-f communications with the node having the identity presented in the sender information element of the N32-c SecNegotiateReqData message should be blocked.

If the validation check described in the '754 Application passes, and the validation checks described in this application fail, N32-f communications associated with the second TLS connection (from the hacker) will be blocked, but the N32-c communications will be allowed (since they likely came from a legitimate SEPP).

If the validation check described in the '754 Application and the validation checks described herein fail, then N32-c and N32-f communications with the identity or identities presented in the N32 SecNegotiateReqData message and the second TLS connection (for N32-f communications) should be blocked.

The subject matter described herein improves network security between SEPPs and PLMNs by performing cross-validation of SEPP identities and PLMN identities exchanged between SEPPs on different interfaces. By comparing N32-c and N32-f SEPP and/or PLMN identities, the SEPP described herein reduces the likelihood of a successful spoofing attack on the N32-f interface, which is the interface that carries service traffic between PLMNs. Reducing the likelihood of a spoofing attack on the forwarding interface used for inter-PLMN service traffic is beneficial, as such an interface carries the bulk of the traffic exchanged between PLMNs. In addition, implementing anti-spoofing mitigation for inter-PLMN forwarding traffic on the SEPP is advantageous because the SEPP is the entry point to the PLMN. Stopping attack traffic at the entry point to the PLMN minimizes the effect of the attack traffic on services provided by the PLMN.

The disclosure of each of the following references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

REFERENCES

• 1. IETF RFC 5246; The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol, Version 1.2; August 2008.
• 2. IETF RFC 3280; Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Certificate and Certificate Revocation List (CRL) Profile, April 2002.
• 3. 3GPP TS 29.573; 3^rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Core Network and Terminals; 5G System; Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) Interconnection; Stage 3 (Release 16) V16.3.0 (2020-07).
• 4. 3GPP TS 33.501; 3^rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Security Architecture and Procedures for the 5G System; (Release 16), V16.3.0 (2020-07).
• 5. 3GPP TS 29.510; 3^rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Core Network and Terminals; 5G System; Network Function Repository Services; Stage 3 (Release 16), V16.4.0 (2020-07).

It will be understood that various details of the presently disclosed subject matter may be changed without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A method for mitigating spoofing attacks on a security edge protection proxy (SEPP) inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) forwarding interface, the method comprising: obtaining, by a responding SEPP and from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface, a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier, wherein obtaining the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface comprises obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first transport layer security (TLS) certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up a TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface and obtaining the first PLMN identifier from an N32-c security capability exchange message received over the TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface;storing the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database;obtaining, by the responding SEPP and from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface, a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier, wherein obtaining the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message associated received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises obtaining the second SEPP identifier from a second TLS certificate message receive during a TLS handshake for setting up a TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface and obtaining the second PLMN identifier from a 5G service message received over the TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface;performing a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier; anddetermining that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, and, in response, preventing the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the responding SEPP, wherein the inter-PLMN control interface comprises an N32-c interface and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises an N32-f interface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier from the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface includes obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first certificate contained in the TLS certificate message received over the inter-PLMN control interface during the TLS handshake for setting up the TLS connection for the N32-c interface.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first certificate comprises a first X.509 certificate.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein obtaining the first SEPP identifier includes extracting the first SEPP identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the first X.509 certificate.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein obtaining the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface includes obtaining the second SEPP identifier from a second certificate contained in the second TLS certificate message received during the TLS handshake for setting up the TLS connection for the N32-f interface.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second certificate comprises a second X.509 certificate.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein obtaining the second SEPP identifier includes extracting the second SEPP identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the second X.509 certificate.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the lookup key comprises a tuple including the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

9. A system for mitigating spoofing attacks on a security edge protection proxy (SEPP) inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) forwarding interface, the system comprising: an SEPP including at least one processor and a memory;an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database residing in the memory; andan inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity spoofing mitigation module implemented by the at least one processor and configured to:obtain, from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface, a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier, wherein obtaining the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface comprises obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first transport layer security (TLS) certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up a TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface and obtaining the first PLMN identifier from an N32-c security capability exchange message received over the TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface;store the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database;obtain, from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface, a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier, wherein obtaining the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message associated received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises obtaining the second SEPP identifier from a second TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up a TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface and obtaining the second PLMN identifier from a 5G service message received over the TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface;perform a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier; anddetermine that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, and, in response, prevent the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the SEPP, wherein the inter-PLMN control interface comprises an N32-c interface and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises an N32-f interface.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein obtaining the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier includes obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first certificate contained in the first TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up the TLS connection for the N32-c interface.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the first certificate comprises a first X.509 certificate.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity spoofing mitigation module is configured to extract the first SEPP identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the first X.509 certificate.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein obtaining the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface includes receiving a second certificate contained in the second TLS certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up the TLS connection for the N32-f interface.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the second certificate comprises a second X.509 certificate and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity spoofing mitigation module is configured to obtain the second identifier by extracting the second identifier from a subject alternative names extension of the X.509 certificate.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the lookup key comprises a tuple including the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by a processor of a computer to perform steps comprising: obtaining, by a responding SEPP and from at least one message received over an inter-PLMN control interface, a first SEPP identifier and a first PLMN identifier, wherein obtaining the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN control interface comprises obtaining the first SEPP identifier from a first transport layer security (TLS) certificate message received during a TLS handshake for setting up a TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface and obtaining the first PLMN identifier from an N32-c security capability exchange message received over the TLS connection for the inter-PLMN control interface;storing the first SEPP identifier and the first PLMN identifier in an SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database;obtaining, by the responding SEPP and from at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface, a second SEPP identifier and a second PLMN identifier, wherein obtaining the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier from at least one message associated received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises obtaining the second SEPP identifier from a second TLS certificate message receive during a TLS handshake for setting up a TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface and obtaining the second PLMN identifier from a 5G service message received over the TLS connection for the inter-PLMN forwarding interface;performing a lookup in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database using a lookup key comprising the second SEPP identifier and the second PLMN identifier; anddetermining that a record corresponding to the lookup key is not present in the SEPP inter-PLMN forwarding interface identity cross-validation database, and, in response, preventing the at least one message received over the inter-PLMN forwarding interface from entering a PLMN protected by the responding SEPP, wherein the inter-PLMN control interface comprises an N32-c interface and the inter-PLMN forwarding interface comprises an N32-f interface.