Cyberattacks on telecom networks are escalating, with breaches costing millions and exposing critical vulnerabilities. Adversary simulation, a method of mimicking real-world attackers, helps identify and fix these weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why telecom is a target: Sensitive data, complex systems (like 5G and IoT), and outdated protocols make telecom networks attractive to attackers.
Key vulnerabilities found: Weak network segmentation, exploitable legacy protocols (e.g., SS7, Diameter), and unpatched devices.
Simulation results: Detection gaps, poor response times, and exploitable APIs highlighted the need for better security measures.
Solutions: Improved network segmentation, stronger access controls, and continuous security validation through adversary simulations.
Adversary simulations go beyond traditional testing by exposing vulnerabilities in real attack scenarios, offering actionable insights to strengthen defenses against evolving threats.
Adversary Simulation Methodology
A real-world simulation was conducted in three structured phases each tailored to the complexities of telecom networks to uncover vulnerabilities without disrupting live services.
Scoping and Setting Objectives
This phase focused on defining simulation goals aligned with the unique challenges of telecom systems. Threat intelligence was used to map attacker behaviors specific to telecom infrastructure.
Three critical focus areas were identified:
Core network components: Base stations, switches, and routers
Subscriber data systems: Including HSS and policy control nodes
Management interfaces: Used for administration and monitoring
Objectives included:
Testing detection and response to telecom-specific threats
Evaluating defenses against advanced persistent threats (APT)
Measuring network segmentation effectiveness in limiting lateral movement
Telecom-Specific Attack Tactics
Next, attack scenarios were tailored to exploit telecom-specific systems and protocols. The simulation used techniques covering all ATT&CK phases from reconnaissance to impact.
Key tactics included:
Protocol exploitation: Targeting SS7, Diameter, and GTP to access subscriber data or intercept messages
Social engineering: Crafting telecom-specific phishing attacks to compromise NOC staff and technicians
Custom lateral movement: Pivoting between customer-facing systems and core infrastructure using legacy vulnerabilities
API exploitation: Maintaining stealth access and exfiltrating sensitive data
These tactics closely mirrored techniques used in real telecom breaches.
Controlled Execution and Monitoring
The final phase executed realistic attack chains in a controlled, monitored environment. This ensured zero impact on live services while testing real-world readiness.
Key practices:
Live attack simulations: Conducted under strict monitoring with full stakeholder visibility
Ethical controls: Ensured compliance, data privacy, and operational continuity
Response evaluation: Measured detection rates, alert response times, and coordination between SOC, IT, and legal teams
Real-time dashboards provided visibility into both attack progress and defense reactions, surfacing blind spots and actionable insights.
Key Findings and Vulnerabilities
A controlled simulation revealed critical weaknesses in telecom networks, highlighting how attackers can exploit infrastructure flaws to compromise sensitive data and disrupt essential services.
Top Telecom Network Vulnerabilities
The simulation uncovered several high-priority vulnerabilities in telecom operations:
Weak Network Segmentation: Once attackers gained initial access, they could move freely across different zones due to poor segmentation. This flaw was worsened by insufficient access controls, including the use of default credentials and weak authentication methods.
Exploitable Protocols: Legacy systems running SS7, Diameter, and GTP protocols were particularly vulnerable. Without proper security hardening, these protocols became easy targets for attackers.
Unpatched Network Devices: Delays in applying updates to network devices exposed known vulnerabilities, providing attackers with opportunities for exploitation.
Vulnerability | Impact | Exploitability | Mitigation Complexity |
Weak Segmentation | Lateral movement, data exfiltration | Moderate | Moderate |
Poor Access Controls | Unauthorized access to sensitive data | High | Low–Moderate |
Exploitable Protocols | Interception of communications, service disruption | Moderate to High | Moderate–High |
Another issue stemmed from misconfigured third-party systems. Cloud servers managed by external vendors were often improperly secured, leaving customer data exposed.
Successful Attack Scenarios
Several attack paths were executed during the simulation, closely mirroring real-world breaches in the telecom sector:
Unsecured APIs: Attackers exploited APIs lacking authentication to access customer databases.
Compromised Network Interfaces: Weak password policies and service misconfigurations allowed access to network management systems.
Authentication System Flaws: Targeting weaknesses in login processes enabled attackers to bypass controls.
Supply Chain Attacks: Unpatched vulnerabilities in third-party equipment were used for unauthorized access and data theft.
Detection and Response Gaps
While the simulated attacks succeeded, they often went unnoticed due to gaps in detection and response capabilities:
Monitoring Blind Spots
Overreliance on EDR Tools
Alert Fatigue
Insufficient Log Management
These findings highlight the urgent need for telecom operators to adopt tailored security measures that address the specific challenges of their networks and operational environments.
Lessons Learned and Remediation Strategies
Network Segmentation and Access Controls
Key takeaways included the need for strong network segmentation and access controls. Solutions like role-based access control (RBAC) and two-factor authentication (2FA) significantly reduced attack surfaces. Regular access audits and strong password policies also helped close critical gaps.
Detection and Response Improvements
Organizations deployed multi-layered defenses including IDS, firewalls, and enhanced SOC capabilities. Incident response teams were formalized, and tabletop exercises ensured readiness. These improvements helped close gaps in response speed and detection accuracy.
Continuous Adversary Simulation
Ongoing adversary simulations were crucial to validating the effectiveness of defenses.
Real-time vulnerability tracking
Integrated reporting and remediation workflows
Ticketing system integration
Live chat support
Free retesting to verify fixes
This continuous validation model ensured telecom networks stayed ahead of evolving threats.
Conclusion
Adversary simulation offers a realistic, proactive way to uncover vulnerabilities in telecom infrastructure. By mimicking real attackers, it reveals blind spots traditional testing can miss, helping organizations prioritize high-impact fixes.
Platforms like Stingrai deliver advanced simulation and PTaaS capabilities to telecom operators, ensuring threats are not only identified but also mitigated quickly and effectively.
FAQs
What makes adversary simulation different from traditional penetration testing in telecom networks?
Adversary simulation mimics real attacker behavior, testing detection and response not just identifying technical vulnerabilities. It provides a more realistic picture of how well a telecom network can resist targeted threats.
How can telecom operators strengthen their ability to detect and respond to advanced cyber threats?
Operators should deploy AI-driven detection tools, multi-layered defenses (e.g., IDS, EDR, firewalls), and follow Zero Trust principles. Regular adversary simulations and a strong incident response plan are also key.
Why is it better to use continuous adversary simulation instead of periodic security assessments for securing telecom networks?
Continuous simulation offers real-time validation of defenses against evolving threats. Unlike periodic tests, it helps detect new vulnerabilities faster and keeps security posture aligned with daily network changes.