IP: GSM decoding for $4500 in 2.5 minutes

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> To: cypherpunks () toad com
> Subject: GSM decoding for $4500 in 2.5 minutes
> Date: Wed, 19 May 1999 12:49:33 -0700
> From: John Gilmore <gnu () toad com>
> Sender: owner-cypherpunks () toad com
>
> A Russian GSM interception system for US$4500 claims to offer
> decryption of the content in 2.5 minutes.  See:
>
>         http://www.rinet.ru/~uandi/gsm/
>
> GSM Test & Surveillance System. This unit is our latest development,
> it uses break through technology in decrypting cryptographic
> algorithms A8, A3, A5 etc. used by GSM network. By using our unique
> hardware and software, similar to DDI's features used to decode AMPS
> network signals, Professional GSM Test & Surveillance System will
> using the advanced software, track calls within the surrounding area,
> staying with the call. It will display control commands to and from
> the phone, monitor the voice channel (Voice) and reverse channel (SIM
> - Subscriber Identity Module number, IMSI - International Mobile
> Subscriber Identity, TMSI - Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity,
> Subscriber Authentication Key and PIN - Personal Identification Number
> and other information).  The process of decrypting and making all of
> calculations takes ~ 2.5 minutes, so the call length of the phone that
> you are tracking must be at least that long in order for GSM Test and
> Surveillance Unit to process and verify all of information to come up
> with appropriate values for programming new SIM.