ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)

Internet Control Message Protocol (RFC 792) is used by routers and hosts to send diagnostics and error messages on IP networks (echo for ping, destination unreachable, time exceeded for traceroute). ICMP can be abused for reconnaissance, covert channels, and amplification, so granular ICMP policy is part of every well-designed firewall ruleset.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSecurity ControlsThreats and Attacks

ICMP in context

The radio access network is the layer where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations, downgrade attacks and jamming, and defenses hinge on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

Security controls in telecom span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening at the network edge), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both the packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36 and, in Europe, NIS2 sectoral rules.

To place ICMP in the wider telecom-security picture, review NTP, A5/0, GNSS Spoofing, Smishing, DNS and Egress.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • SS7 Firewall GSMA FS.11 category 1/2/3 SS7 message screening at the STP edge.
  • Diameter Firewall GSMA FS.19 screening at the Diameter Edge Agent on S6a/S9/S13.
  • Diameter Attacks S6a IDR/PUR/CLR abuse, subscriber tracking, LTE signaling attacks.
  • GTP Firewall GSMA FS.20 GTP-C/GTP-U screening on GRX/IPX borders.

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