Bootstrapping Server Function

A Bootstrapping Server Function (BSF) is an intermediary element in Cellular networks which provides application-independent functions for mutual authentication of user equipment and servers unknown to each other and for 'bootstrapping' the exchange of secret session keys afterwards. This allows the use of additional services like Mobile TV and PKI, which need authentication and secured communication.

GBA/GAA Setup

The setup and function to deploy a generic security relation as described is called Generic Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA) or Generic Authentication Architecture (GAA). In short, it consists of the following elements.

user equipment (UE), e. g. a mobile cellular telephone; needs access to a specific service
application server (NAF: Network Application Function), e. g. for mobile TV; provides the service
BSF (Bootstrapping Server Function); arranges security relation between UE and NAF
mobile network operator's Home Subscriber Server (HSS); hosts user profiles.

In this case, the term 'bootstrapping' is related to building a security relation with a previously unknown device first and to allow installing security elements (keys) in the device and the BSF afterwards.

Workflow

The BSF is introduced by the application server (NAF), after an unknown UE device is trying to get service access: the NAF refers the UE to the BSF. UE and BSF mutually authenticate via 3GPP protocol AKA (Authentication and Key Agreement); additionally, the BSF sends related queries to the Home Subscriber Server (HSS). Afterwards, UE and BSF agree on a session key to be used for encrypted data exchange with the application server (NAF). When the UE again connects to the NAF, the NAF is able to obtain the session key as well as user-specific data from the BSF and can start data exchange with the end device (UE), using the related session keys for encryption.

Standards

BSF is standardised in recent versions of 3GPP Standards: GAA (Generic Authentication Architecture) and GBA (Generic Bootstrapping Architecture), and 3GPP TS 33.919, 33.220 24.109, 29.109

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