Short and multimedia message service broadcasting is actually safer than packetized voice in many ways, though there are still several ways that bad actors could seize control of the network stack that powers this kind of software. That led cybersecurity researchers to develop new ways of protecting SMS broadcasters.
Cross-site Scripting Attacks
Engineers claim that XSS attacks are technically misnamed, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming extremely prolific across the entire mobile Internet. These involve making operators visit a site that injects client-side scripts into their system software. Unlike attacks that focus on clients, these seek out SMS broadcasters to try and take over their systems.
Once an adversary has control of a broadcasting application, they can use it to send out affiliate links to every single individual stored in its address book. They might try to eventually build up a botnet out of compromised machines by sending out links that lead to malware. While a single piece of malware can only attack a specific application platform, adversaries will normally try to match their packages to whatever carrier users are invested in.
Using updated SMS broadcasting software is probably the single best way to prevent this kind of attack. Technologists who represent the services that develop these packages constantly look for new XSS attacks and put through codebase changes to prevent them. Unfortunately, bad actors have started to use direct code injection to seize control of broadcasters.
Code Injection Through SMS Messages
Cybersecurity specialists usually use the phrase code injection to refer to a specific type of man-in-the-middle attack that impacts platform users by injecting a script into a normal request. A specific type goes after SMS broadcasters by attempting to capture packets at a telephone company’s central office location and adding something extra to them. Adversaries who wish to carry out this kind of attack might set up a remote server between the wire center and a broadcaster.
Whenever the broadcaster wants to send out a message, the packet ends up hitting this service first. Particularly sophisticated crackers will combine this with a conventional phone call. For instance, they might send out what looks like an urgent message from a bank asking to authorize an unusual payment. The text in question piggybacks on a broadcaster’s legitimate missives sent out to their customers.
Once a customer responds, they get a phone call that looks like it came from their bank. Adversaries on the other end will then engage in social engineering tactics to trick someone into giving them account details.
These attacks can be mitigated to a large degree by only working with well-organized SMS resellers and software providers. To begin with, Only use packages provided by the organization that offers you SMS broadcasting services. Cabinet files distributed online are highly likely to be part of a scam.
Two-Factor Authentication Cracking
One of the fastest-growing types of attacks involves spoofing a 2FA message. This doesn’t require bad actors to seize a phone trunk used by SMS broadcasters at all. Instead, they attempt to craft messages that look like those from a legitimate business venture and send them out to as many potential customers as possible. Since they usually get customer data from online lists, it’s important to encrypt phone numbers and all other relevant information stored in databases.
Particularly dedicated adversaries will simply engage in so-called smishing attacks, sending out these fraudulent SMS messages to every phone number that could exist in a particular exchange. Customers can protect themselves by using a spam blocker and reporting fraudulent numbers to their wireless carriers.
Broadcasters need to educate their customers on spotting these attacks so they won’t fall prey to a fake text message. The old adage about never giving out one’s password is more applicable here than anywhere else.
Nobody has yet been able to develop a network stack that’s completely secure, but SMS broadcasting is a relatively safe technology. Putting these simple tips into action can go a long way toward reducing one’s overall attack surface and improving their security profile.