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

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

To place ICMP in the wider telecom-security picture, review A5/0, DNS, FCC, GNSS Spoofing, HTTP/2 Security in 5G and NTP — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.