BP-17 SIM Swapping: Identity Takeover via Mobile Carrier
A critical identity breach pattern where attackers exploit telecom vulnerabilities to bypass cloud security controls and compromise high-value targets through phone number hijacking.
Understanding the SIM Swapping Attack Vector
Attack Mechanism
SIM Swapping occurs when adversaries manipulate or bribe mobile carrier employees to transfer a victim's phone number onto an attacker-controlled SIM card. This social engineering attack breaks the trust boundary outside traditional cloud security perimeters, targeting the telecom layer itself.
What Attackers Gain Access To
SMS-based multi-factor authentication codes
Phone-based MFA approval notifications
Password reset verification codes
Account recovery authentication flows
Voice call MFA challenges
Device enrollment verification messages
High-Value Target Profile
C-Suite Executives
High-privilege access to corporate systems and strategic information
IT Administrators
Control over infrastructure and identity management platforms
DevOps Engineers
Access to code signing credentials and production deployment systems
Crypto Custodians
Control of high-value digital assets and financial accounts
This technique is devastatingly effective against users relying on phone-based MFA, regardless of technical sophistication or organizational security posture.
Attacker Objectives and Tactical Goals
Real-Time MFA Interception
Capture authentication codes as they're transmitted, enabling immediate account access
Password Reset Exploitation
Leverage SMS-based recovery flows to bypass existing credentials entirely
Rogue Device Registration
Enroll attacker-controlled devices for persistent push-based MFA access
Cloud Identity Recovery
Abuse phone verification to recover and take over cloud identities
Financial Account Takeover
Compromise high-value SaaS, banking, and cryptocurrency accounts
Key Insight: SIM Swapping represents identity takeover via telecom compromise—a sophisticated attack that bypasses Conditional Access by impersonating trusted devices and communication channels.
Critical Identity Misconfigurations
Four fundamental weaknesses create exploitable attack surfaces for SIM swapping operations. Understanding these misconfigurations is essential for building resilient identity architectures.
1
MC-111: Incomplete MFA Configuration
Reliance on SMS-based MFA creates a direct vulnerability to telecom-layer attacks. Organizations must transition to FIDO2, hardware tokens, or authenticator apps.
Attacker initiates SIM swap and intercepts authentication credentials
2
Stage 4: Authentication Abuse
Captured MFA codes enable unauthorized access to target accounts
3
Stage 6: Token Tampering / Session Hijack
Valid session tokens extracted and replayed for persistent access
4
Stage 8: Persistence via Identity
New device registration establishes long-term foothold in environment
SIM Swapping frequently escalates to complete identity takeover across cloud infrastructure, SaaS platforms, and financial systems—representing one of the most severe identity compromise scenarios.
Executive Threat Context and Strategic Implications
Critical Business Risk Storylines
SIM swapping represents a convergence of external identity threats and systemic MFA weaknesses. Two key executive storylines contextualize this risk within broader organizational security strategy.
Demonstrates how reliance on vulnerable MFA methods creates exploitable pathways for sophisticated adversaries targeting high-value accounts.
02
ETS-007: Identity Drift → Targeted Escalation
Illustrates progression from initial compromise to privilege escalation as attackers exploit identity configuration gaps.
Strategic Recommendation
Organizations must eliminate SMS-based authentication for privileged users and implement phishing-resistant MFA (FIDO2/hardware tokens) combined with continuous authentication monitoring.