GoKawiilReport details how SS7 and Diameter flaws let attackers track and intercept phones
Telecom signaling protocols SS7 and Diameter, used for carrier-to-carrier routing since the 1970s and 1990s respectively, can be exploited to locate phones, intercept SMS two-factor codes, and impersonate numbers without malware or phishing. The report notes these flaws were reportedly used by Iranian-linked actors to locate US personnel during the Iran war, and were previously demonstrated publicly when YouTuber Veritasium hijacked a tech influencer's calls and texts using only his phone number.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Because SS7 lacks authentication and Diameter's stronger protections are often not deployed by operators, the weakness sits outside users' control, in carrier infrastructure that most subscribers never interact with directly. This suggests ordinary security habits like avoiding phishing links or malware offer no protection against this class of attack, which could affect anyone relying on SMS-based two-factor authentication or call privacy.
- SS7 and Diameter are decades-old carrier signaling protocols lacking robust authentication.
- Attackers can track locations, intercept texts, and impersonate numbers without touching the victim's device.
- The flaws have reportedly been used in state-linked espionage and demonstrated publicly by researchers and YouTubers.
YubiKey 5C NFC Security Key — Since SS7 and Diameter flaws let attackers intercept SMS two-factor codes, moving to a hardware security key sidesteps the telecom signaling layer entirely. YubiKey supports FIDO2/U2F authentication that can't be phished or redirected through carrier networks, giving you a much stronger second factor than text messages.”,
See YubiKey 5C NFC Security Key on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: bleepingcomputer.com, 2026-10-30
Published there as: “SS7 and Diameter Attacks: How Signaling Flaws Expose Your Phone”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.