Dependency relation based vulnerability analysis of 3G networks: Can it identify unforeseen cascading attacks?

Cascading attacks pose a new threat to the third generation (3G) wireless telecommunications network. These attacks are dangerous and difficult to detect due to their remote far-reaching effects. To automate the accurate detection of these attacks and their remote effects, we developed a telecommunication specification based toolkit called the Advanced Cellular Network Vulnerability Assessment Toolkit-aCAT. aCAT is unique due to the incorporation of 3G network specific dependency model, infection propagation rules, as well as expert knowledge. These features allow aCAT to accurately and exhaustively identify cascading attacks and their remote effects. aCAT illustrates the types of cascading attacks that may be derived from the specifications, and showcases its utility in uncovering these attacks.