Smartphones Security

05-05-2005 Sujeeth Narayan 1

Smartphones Security

CS 691 Sujeeth Narayan


Agenda

Part 1 - Introduction to Smartphones

Part 2 - Security Issues

Part 3 - Unified Framework

Part 4 - New Authentication Method

Part 5 - Conclusion


Motivation

• A developing Technology Industry

• Security is unstable in Mobile phones

• Easy to Test


Part 1: Introduction to Smartphones


What are Smartphones?

Includes :

•Vocal Communications – GSM,GPRS•Web Browsing•eMail•Organizer Functions•Multimedia Capabilities

•Media Player•Audio, Video Recorder•Camera


Smartphones Internals

Capabilities : •Personal Information Management

•Synchronize using protocols such as ActiveSync, IntelliSync

•Connect using Bluetooth, IrDA or GPRS

Operating Systems :•Windows Mobile TM - Audiovox SMT 5600

•Symbian (Linux) – Motorola A760


OS Architecture


•Based on Operating System – Bugs , Security Holes

•Data Security – PIN exists but not applied for data

Risks related to Inherent Characteristics


Risks related to Users

Mobile usage Survey by Pointsec Mobile Technologies

•Ease to synchronize data with Personal Computer

•Not Enough Data Security


Risks related to Networks

Bluetooth :•Short range wireless connections•Has Security specification but not used many users.•Setting Bluetooth Service in Discoverable Mode

Possible Attacks: •BTBrowser scans for nearby Bluetooth devices and Browses Directories

•Buffer overflows attacks in some response messages

•Bluejacking : •Putting a message in place of ones device name•Sending with a pairing request•With a prompting message, the victim presses a key •Victim would be allow attacker to access files


Risks related to Networks

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) :

•Works on Radio waves •Work with Internet connectivity

Possible Attacks:

•Attacks from Internet – eMails, Messenger Messages•Compromised backbone of GGSN – Gateway GPRS Support Node


Enterprises Security Policy

Banning use of Personal Smartphones• Unrealistic • Impossible to physically control

Should Define:• Synchronization • Use of devices in public places (Deactivate Bluetooth)• Information Exchange between Device and Enterprise System


USF - Unified Security Framework

Driven by: NIST – National Institute of Standard and TechnologyCSRC – Computer Security Resource Center

Published on June 2004 http://csrc.nist.gov/mobilesecurity/Publications/PP-UNIsecFramework-fin.pdf


• User Authentication – •The first line of defense for an unattended, lost, or stolen device.• Multiple modes of authentication increase the work factor for an attacker.

• Content Encryption – • The second line of defense for protecting sensitive information.

• Policy Controls – •Policy rules, enforced for all programs regardless of associated privileges, protect critical components from modification, and limit access to security-related information.

USF- Addresses Issues


Part 4: New Authentication Method


Picture Password :A Visual Login Technique for Mobile Devices

http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistir/nistir-7030.pdf

Wayne Jansen, Serban Gavrila, Vlad Korolev, Rick Ayers, Ryan Swanstrom


Method: Extracting the selection of Images

•Matrix Formation of Images•Associated value for each image•Generate equivalent Password

Extracting the characteristics of Image ???


Part 5: Conclusion


• Smartphones are complex in Architecture and Design

• Network protocols are complex to implement

• Technology is growing and possibly more weaknesses discovered

• Organizations should consider these devices in policy making

Conclusion


References

http://csrc.nist.gov/mobiledevices/projects.html

http://www.wirelessdev.net

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com

http://www.AirScanner.com -Mobile Firewall and Antivirus

http://www.PointSec.com - Mobile Security Software

http://csrc.nist.gov/mobiledevices/projects.html

http://www.wirelessdev.net/

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/

http://www.airscanner.com/

http://www.pointsec.com/


Questions ??

Documents

Smartphones Security