SPARROW: A Novel Covert Communication Scheme (Live)
Reza Soosahabi and Chuck McAuley demonstrate live covert data transmission over cellular networks, exploiting MAC-layer protocols in LTE and 5G.
Summary
The Evolution of Covert Cellular Communications
While wireless security research often focuses on creating custom PHY-layer radios, existing cellular infrastructures provide overlooked protocol channels for stealthy communication.
Discovering the MAC-Layer Vulnerability (GSMA CVD-2021-0045)
Reza Soosahabi and Chuck McAuley detail a protocol vulnerability in LTE and 5G MAC-layer signaling that enables covert, long-range communication across public carrier networks.
Live Demonstration of SPARROW Covert Devices
The authors present live testing of SPARROW devices transmitting covert messages over commercial cellular infrastructure without establishing active data sessions.
Detection Mechanisms and Carrier Defenses
Soosahabi and McAuley propose carrier-level traffic inspection heuristics and base station firmware updates to detect and mitigate unauthorized MAC-layer signaling.
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