SIST ETS 300 506 E2:2003

• Abstract:

  The purpose of this European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) is to de fine the security features which are to be available in a GSM PLMN, to gether with the associated levels of protection. This ETS is only conc erned with those security features which aim at the up-grading of the security in a GSM PLMN. In particular, end-to-end security is outside the scope of this ETS.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2003
• ICS: 33.070.50 - Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)
• Technical Committee: SS EIT - Technical Board for the electrotechnical, information technology and telecommunications fields
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Due Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Completion Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Ref Project: ETSI ETS 300 506 ed.2 (1998-01) - Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2) (GSM); Security aspects (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1)

Overview

SIST ETS 300 506 E2:2003 is a European Telecommunication Standard developed by the Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo (SIST) in line with ETSI guidelines. This standard outlines essential security features for digital cellular telecommunications systems (Phase 2), focusing on the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). The objective is to define and mandate a set of security mechanisms within a GSM Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), specifically targeting the confidentiality, integrity, and authentication of subscriber data and network signaling. The standard does not cover end-to-end security but addresses critical security enhancements necessary for robust mobile network operation.

Key Topics

Security Features in GSM PLMN

• Subscriber Identity Confidentiality

  • Ensures the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is protected and not disclosed to unauthorized parties.
  • The use of a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) is required for additional privacy.

• Subscriber Identity Authentication

  • Confirms that the subscriber accessing the network is legitimate.
  • Protects the GSM network against unauthorized usage and impersonation.

• User Data Confidentiality on Physical Connections

  • Mandates encryption for voice and non-voice data over traffic channels.
  • Protects user communications from interception on the radio interface.

• Connectionless User Data Confidentiality

  • Secures user information in connectionless packet modes (e.g., SMS) during transmission over signaling channels.

• Signalling Information Element Confidentiality

  • Protects sensitive signaling information such as IMEI, IMSI, and subscriber numbers during transmission between mobile stations and base stations.

Implementation Requirements

• Security mechanisms must be incorporated on both PLMN infrastructure and mobile stations.
• Operators have flexibility in adopting these features for their subscribers; however, features are mandatory for roaming users unless otherwise agreed upon.

Applications

SIST ETS 300 506 E2:2003 is critically applicable for:

• Mobile Network Operators: Ensures compliance with established GSM security specifications, protecting users and infrastructure from threats such as identity theft, eavesdropping, and unauthorized access.
• Equipment Manufacturers: Provides a framework for developing GSM devices (Mobile Equipment and SIMs) that meet European security standards.
• Regulatory Authorities: Offers a reference for national and European bodies overseeing public land mobile networks and ensuring consumer privacy and network integrity.
• International Roaming: Standardizes security practices across networks, facilitating safe and secure roaming capabilities for subscribers.

These security features are essential in environments where mobility and wireless communication introduce elevated risks compared to traditional fixed telecommunication networks.

Related Standards

This document should be referenced in conjunction with other key GSM and telecommunications standards for a comprehensive security framework:

• GSM 01.04: Abbreviations and acronyms in digital cellular telecommunications systems.
• GSM 02.02 (ETS 300 501): Bearer Services supported by a GSM PLMN.
• GSM 02.03 (ETS 300 502): Teleservices supported by a GSM PLMN.
• GSM 03.20 (ETS 300 534): Implementation guidance for network security functions.
• GSM 11.11 (ETS 300 608): SIM - ME (Mobile Equipment) interface specification.

Conclusion

SIST ETS 300 506 E2:2003 plays a foundational role in the security of GSM mobile networks by protecting user identities, authenticating subscribers, and ensuring confidentiality of user and signaling data. Adhering to this standard is vital for mobile network operators, manufacturers, and authorities seeking robust mobile communications security in compliance with international best practices. For full implementation details, consult referenced standards and related technical guidelines.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2003
'LJLWDOQLFHOLþQLWHOHNRPXQLNDFLMVNLVLVWHPID]D±9DUQRVWQLYLGLNL*60
UD]OLþLFD
Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2); Security aspects (GSM 02.09
version 4.4.1)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETS 300 506 Edition 2
ICS:
33.070.50 Globalni sistem za mobilno Global System for Mobile
telekomunikacijo (GSM) Communication (GSM)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN ETS 300 506
TELECOMMUNICATION January 1998
STANDARD Second Edition
Source: SMG Reference: RE/SMG-010209PR1
ICS: 33.020
Key words: Digital cellular telecommunications system, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)
R
GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2);
Security aspects
(GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1)
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETSI Secretariat
Postal address: F-06921 Sophia Antipolis CEDEX - FRANCE
Office address: 650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis - Valbonne - FRANCE
X.400: c=fr, a=atlas, p=etsi, s=secretariat - Internet: [e-mail]
Tel.: [phone] - Fax: [phone]
Copyright Notification: No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission. The copyright and the
foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© European Telecommunications Standards Institute 1998. All rights reserved.

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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation and publication of this document, errors in content,
typographical or otherwise, may occur. If you have comments concerning its accuracy, please write to
"ETSI Editing and Committee Support Dept." at the address shown on the title page.

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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
Contents
Foreword .5
1 Scope .7
1.1 Normative references .7
1.2 Abbreviations .7
2 General.8
3 Security features provided in a GSM PLMN.8
3.1 Subscriber identity confidentiality. 8
3.1.1 Definition .8
3.1.2 Purpose .8
3.1.3 Functional requirements.9
3.2 Subscriber identity authentication .9
3.2.1 Definition .9
3.2.2 Purpose .9
3.2.3 Functional requirements.9
3.2.4 Authentication during a malfunction of the network .10
3.3 User data confidentiality on physical connections (Voice and Non-voice).10
3.3.1 Definition .10
3.3.2 Purpose .10
3.3.3 Functional requirements.10
3.4 Connectionless user data confidentiality.11
3.4.1 Definition .11
3.4.2 Purpose .11
3.4.3 Functional requirements.11
3.5 Signalling information element confidentiality.11
3.5.1 Definition .11
3.5.2 Purpose .11
3.5.3 Functional requirements.11
History.12

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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
Foreword
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) has been produced by the Special Mobile Group
(SMG) of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
This ETS defines security features within the digital cellular telecommunications system.
The specification from which this ETS has been derived was originally based on CEPT documentation,
hence the presentation of this ETS may not be entirely in accordance with the ETSI/PNE Rules.
Transposition dates
Date of adoption of this ETS: 5 December 1997
Date of latest announcement of this ETS (doa): 30 April 1998
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this ETS (dop/e): 31 October 1998
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 31 October 1998

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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
1 Scope
Bearer and Teleservices, as respectively defined in GSM 02.02 and GSM 02.03, are the objects which the
GSM PLMN operators offer to their customers. Besides these basic telecommunications services,
features which aim at up-grading these basic services need also to be offered. Due to the use of
radiocommunications in a PLMN, which are of a special nature compared to classical distribution
transmission techniques used in the fixed networks, such a category of features is related to security
aspects.
In a GSM PLMN, both the users and the network operator have to be protected against undesirable
intrusion of third parties. However, measures should be provided for in order to insure maximum
protection of the rights of the individuals concerns. As a consequence, a security feature is either a
supplementary service to Tele or Bearer services, which can be selected by the subscriber, or a network
function involved in the provision of one or several telecommunication services.
The purpose of this European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) is to define the security features which
are to be available in a GSM PLMN, together with the associated levels of protection. This ETS is only
concerned with those security features which aim at the up-grading of the security in a GSM PLMN. In
particular, end-to-end security is outside the scope of this ETS.
The implementation aspects of security features are described in GSM 03.20.
1.1 Normative references
This ETS incorporates by dated and undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this ETS only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references, the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
[1] GSM 01.04 (ETR 100): "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2);
Abbreviations and acronyms".
[2] GSM 02.02 (ETS 300 501): "Digital cellular telecommunications system
(Phase 2); Bearer Services (BS) supported by a GSM Public Land Mobile
Network (PLMN)".
[3] GSM 02.03 (ETS 300 502): "Digital cellular telecommunications system
(Phase 2); Teleservices supported by a GSM Public Land Mobile Network
(PLMN)".
[4] GSM 03.20 (ETS 300 534): "Digital cellular telecommunications system
(Phase 2); Security related network functions".
[5] GSM 11.11 (ETS 300 608): "Digital cellular telecommunications system
(Phase 2); Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module - Mobile Equipment
(SIM - ME) interface".
1.2 Abbreviations
Abbreviations used in this ETS are listed in GSM 01.04.

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ETS 300 506 (GSM 02.09 version 4.4.1): January 1998
2 General
The use of radiocommunications for transmission to the mobile subscribers makes PLMNs particularly
sensitive to:
- misuse of their resources by unauthorised persons using manipulated Mobile Stations, who try to
impersonate authorized subscribers; and
- eavesdropping of the various information which are exchanged on the radio path.
It can be seen that PLMNs intrinsically do not provide the same level of protection to their operators and
subscribers as the traditional telecommunication networks provide. This fact leads to the need to
implement security features in a GSM PLMN in order to pro
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