Security enhancement in GSM Cellular standards (P-0382) (MFN 2326)

Abstract

Security is a crucial factor in the provision of secure mobile services. The rapid growth of harmful attacks has increased the need for higher security level, especially in the case of wireless networks. The main objective of this project is to propose a modified version of GSM security algorithm A5/1, synchronous symmetric-key stream cipher.

In this project, we have proposed a high level security solution that incorporates a new Key setup routine, feedback function of Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) and a novel combining function of A5/1. The Verilog hardware description language (Verilog HDL) is used to obtain the size and timing constraints of the both proposed and existing A5/1 algorithm whereas testing of the algorithm is done using MATLAB.

The first part of the report relates to the theoretical background behind GSM security, its architecture, and an overview is made of A5/1 algorithm. In the second part of the report, the deals with the most common attacks such as birthday attack, random subgraph attack and correlation attack that breach the security of the air interface.

Finally, this report summarizes the project by describing how the proposed solution is more secure and efficient by simulating and application of different Statistical Tests for standard A5/1 and proposed A5/1 in MATLAB and comparing results.