Terminal Location Verification Against Base Station Reports
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 4G communications systems, attackers can exploit vulnerabilities to mislead networks into determining incorrect terminal device locations, leading to billing discrepancies by impersonating victims and manipulating location information.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for determining terminal device location by comparing location information reported by the terminal device with that reported by a base station, and sending a reject message if the information does not match, thereby preventing incorrect location determination and potential network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the network determines location based on base station reporting, then location determination is simple, but attackers can manipulate location information to cause billing discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal device reports its location information to the network, and the network compares this reported location with the location derived from base station information. This feedback loop enables verification of location accuracy and detection of manipulation attempts, resolving the contradiction between simple location determination and reliable location accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the network accepts location information from terminal device, then location accuracy can be improved, but it increases the risk of accepting false information from attackers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism where the network acts as a mediator to compare location information from multiple sources (terminal device reporting and base station reporting) before accepting the location data. This intermediary verification process filters out false information from attackers while maintaining the ability to accept accurate location data, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and security vulnerability.
3Reliability
If location verification mechanisms are implemented, then security against location spoofing is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service verification mechanism where the terminal device itself participates in the verification process by reporting its location information. The network simply compares this self-reported location with base station-derived location, eliminating the need for complex external verification systems. This self-service approach improves security against location spoofing while minimizing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a terminal device location determining method and a device. The terminal device location determining method includes: obtaining, by a core network device, location information of a terminal device reported by the terminal device and location information reported by a first base station; determining, by the core network device, whether the location information of the terminal device matches the location information reported by the first base station; and if the location information of the terminal device does not match the location information reported by the first base station, sending, by the core network device, a reject message to the terminal device. By determining, through comparison, whether the location information of the terminal device reported by the terminal device matches the location information reported by the base station, it can be determined whether a location of the terminal device is incorrectly determined. In this way, accuracy of determining the location of the terminal device is improved.