QCSuper: Eavesdropping on Device Becomes a Hobby
QCSuper is a versatile tool that serves multiple purposes across different sectors. Its ability to capture and analyze raw radio frames from Qualcomm-based devices makes it indispensable for telecom operators, security researchers, network developers, and educators.
Main Features of QCSuper
📌Protocol Support: Captures raw radio frames for 2G (GSM), 2.5G (GPRS and EDGE), 3G (UMTS), and 4G (LTE) networks. Partial support for 5G is available for certain models
📌Device Compatibility: Works with Qualcomm-based phones and modems, including rooted Android devices and USB dongles
📌Data Output: Generates PCAP files with GSMTAP encapsulation, which can be analyzed using Wireshark
📌Ease of Use: Simple commands to start capturing data
📌Cross-Platform Support: Can be installed on both Linux and Windows systems, with detailed instructions provided for both platforms
📌Research and Analysis: Widely used by telecom, mobile, and security researchers for analyzing radio communication exchanges
Hardware Requirements for Using QCSuper
📌Qualcomm-Based Devices: The primary requirement is a Qualcomm-based phone or modem. This is because QCSuper relies on the Qualcomm Diag protocol to capture raw radio frames
📌Rooted Android Phone or USB Modem: For Android phones, the device must be rooted to access the necessary diagnostic interfaces
📌Operating System Compatibility: QCSuper has been tested on Ubuntu LTS 22.04 and Windows 11. It is recommended to use Linux for better compatibility
📌Wireshark: Wireshark is needed to analyze the PCAP files generated by QCSuper. Different versions of Wireshark are required depending on the type of frames being captured (e.g., Wireshark 2.x — 4.x for 2G/3G frames, Wireshark 2.5.x for 4G frames, and Wireshark 3.6.x for 5G frames)
Limitations
🚫QCSuper cannot be used with non-Qualcomm phones. The tool specifically relies on the Qualcomm Diag protocol to capture raw radio frames, which is a proprietary protocol available only on Qualcomm-based devices. Therefore, it is not compatible with phones or modems that do not use Qualcomm chipsets
🚫QCSuper cannot capture 5G radio frames on all devices. The ability to capture 5G frames is limited to certain models of Qualcomm-based devices. The tool has partial support for 5G, and this functionality has been tested under specific conditions with Wireshark 3.6.x. Therefore, not all Qualcomm-based devices will necessarily support 5G frame capture, and users may need to verify compatibility for their specific device model.
Application
Telecommunications Industry:
📌Network Analysis: QCSuper enables telecom operators to capture and analyze radio communication exchanges between mobile devices and the network. This helps in understanding network performance, diagnosing issues, and optimizing network configurations.
📌Protocol Compliance: By capturing raw radio frames, telecom companies can ensure that their networks comply with industry standards and protocols, such as those defined by 3GPP for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
Mobile Security:
📌Security Research: Security researchers can use QCSuper to study vulnerabilities in mobile networks. By analyzing the captured frames, they can identify potential security flaws and develop mitigation strategies.
📌Penetration Testing: QCSuper is useful for conducting penetration tests on mobile networks. It allows security professionals to simulate attacks and assess the resilience of the network against various threats.
Network Research and Development:
📌Protocol Analysis: Researchers can use QCSuper to capture and analyze signaling information and user data at different layers of the mobile network stack. This is crucial for developing new protocols and improving existing ones.
📌5G Research: With partial support for 5G, QCSuper is instrumental in studying the latest advancements in mobile technology. Researchers can analyze 5G frames to understand the new features and challenges associated with 5G networks.
Educational and Training Purposes:
📌Training Programs: QCSuper is used in training programs to educate telecom and security professionals about mobile network protocols and security. It provides hands-on experience in capturing and analyzing real-world network traffic.
📌Academic Research: Universities and research institutions can leverage QCSuper for academic projects and research, helping students and researchers gain practical insights into mobile network operations.
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