DYI - IMSI catcher with ras pi.

Hi,

i want to build as part of my school project an IMSI catcher for GSM - be able to make it and if my device is in the room/lab (not outside) it will be able to intercept calls/SMS/data and will connect with my base station instead of carrier base station.

i want to verify what is the needed hardware/software as i have NO prior experience playing with it (that's the challenge and gap i want to take).

i want to achieve it with Ras pi like was done here:

http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/21/raspberry-pi-used-to-replace-a-30-foot-gsm-base-station-and-create-a-working-mobile-network/

i found other references for raspi:

http://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36400&p=396624

Proof of Concept shows how to make your own GSM phone network using $35 Raspberry Pi | Plan8

i have the following hardware:

http://www.cooking-hacks.com/gprs-quadband-module-sim900-for-arduino

http://www.cooking-hacks.com/internal-4g-3g-gprs-gsm-antenna

http://www.cooking-hacks.com/documentation/tutorials/raspberry-pi-to-arduino-shields-connection-bridge

http://www.element14.com/community/community/raspberry-pi

Question - is this all the needed hardware for similar project? is there something else i need to buy/get?

as i could see in the above reference they mentioned/used product named ETTUS Research USRP B100 software programmable radio:

http://www.ettus.com/product

Question - the software i need to run/install over ras pi is 'OpenBTS'?

http://openbts.org/

i saw also something called openBSC and other related project that i am not sure what is the difference from one to each other and what is needed.

can i achieve it with my current hardwar elist + openbts or i misunderstood the whole thing.

thank you.

0 Problemchild over 10 years ago

Bear in mind the the Ettus Radio is 1000$ or there abuts on it's own and you need two transceiver modules in it last time I did any thing with openBTS and also a more accurate time base than the standard crystal then the Raspberry Pi is the least of your problems.Personally I would use something more powerful and have some processing headroom if required(it's always required )
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0 Former Member over 10 years ago

hello, i wanted to know if you did find anything ? did you built the imsi catcher ?
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0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Im not sure what you mean by school project but if ur up for it, i can share some of the things that i discover as i go about on my research related / similar subject - software defined radio. i am playing around with the OsmocomBB project (Open Source Mobile Communication Base Band) on my rpi B+ running RTL-SDR Raspberry Pi Image by Gareth Hayes but there are many other choices including gsm map by srslabs which is more gsm focus in my opinion. Instead of USRP, i use the DVB-T dongle and still tweaking and playing with the Motorola C118 (aka C123) for side by side with my good ol' Nokia 3310 while trying to find the best way to intergrate or consolidate the potential / use of all devices. There are still many things that i need to try, test and go through in this radio spectrum adventure but just to recap (attempting to try make some sense), raspberry pi can be use for the TCP server that runs osmocombb using input taced from Nokia 3310 (GSM Tap) and the RTL2832U dongle for the IMSI catcher as the attack vector guided by the credentials sniffed by osmo-sdr running on the motorola C118. Check out this video which might clear up some of the confusion that i might have caused by my blabbering here. Wish you all the best on your school project and should you decide to persist and pursue this, feel free to hit me up iif you ever need a research buddy to go along with it.

ps: another cool thing that rpi can do is to create an SSTV station or a beacon and a a radio station but if you are a licensed ham operator (just got mine few weeks ago), you can probably find some info on how build a transceiver and communicate with the ISS crew while they float above us 16 times everyday!
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0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Hi Nat b,

I've been reviewing your thread and I'm very impressed with your aproach towards this project. I'm very familiar with SDR and specific Dongle technology (SDR RTL) etc.

I am in the market of purchasing an IMSI / IMEI / GSM / INTERCEPTOR. If you happened to have had success with your project, then I commend you and would be very interested in speaking with you in regards to building another unit, or selling the existing one..

If you would like to speak with me on this matter a little further.

Regards,
X xdc
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0 Former Member over 9 years ago in reply to Former Member

Nate I noticed the thread is a bit old but have you taken a look at: https://evilsocket.net/2016/03/31/how-to-build-your-own-rogue-gsm-bts-for-fun-and-profit/

Let me know if you had any luck with it. I am looking forward to building an IMSI catcher myself.
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0 imichaka over 8 years ago in reply to Former Member

Hi Jose, I am told that this is the quickest way to build a IMSI Catcher..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8zMaOIk1q4
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0 volly over 8 years ago in reply to imichaka

imichaka

ummmmmm?????
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0 uscdadnyc over 8 years ago in reply to volly

To TT & YV: TT's URL was pretty Cool. IDK that there were units like it out there. And from ASUS even. Location Location Location. Living in NY NY USA, I don't have a need for
the Legitimate Uses of such a Unit. But Illegitimate Uses, that's another Story. BTW what does IMSI = ??
USCDADNYC (NY NY USA)
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