and management. Developed during the early 2000s, it became a staple tool for hobbyists and security researchers interested in the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) architecture. Functional Core The software’s primary function is to extract the Ki (Authentication Key) IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)
Woron Scan is a designed to be fast, small (one executable, no installation), and easy to use. It’s often compared to a simpler version of Nmap but without the scripting engine or OS fingerprinting.
Virtually all modern SIM cards use COMP128v2, COMP128v3, or MILENAGE algorithms, which are not susceptible to the brute-force attacks performed by Woron Scan 1.09. 2. Shift to eSIM Woron Scan 1.09
Woron Scan 1.09 takes direct advantage of mathematical flaws found in , the original cryptographic algorithm used by early GSM network operators to protect the Ki key.
Modern SIM cards are designed with strict anti-tampering logic. If a modern chip detects a rapid-fire sequence of cryptographic challenge requests mimicking a tool like Woron Scan, the SIM automatically triggers a permanent internal lockout. This bricking mechanism renders the card permanently useless to protect user security. and management
Users can define which ports to scan—from common web ports (80, 443) to obscure service ports. The tool comes preloaded with a list of well-known ports but allows full customization via a simple text interface.
Unlike modern plug-and-play USB smart card readers that handle high-level commands, the Phoenix interface was a simple hardware design that clocked the card and managed the serial communication. Woron Scan communicated directly with the microcontroller on the SIM, allowing for precise control over the timing and voltage of the communication. This granular control is a prerequisite for the timing attacks utilized to extract cryptographic keys. It’s often compared to a simpler version of
: Modern USIM cards deployed for 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, and eSIM technologies utilize highly secure cryptographic frameworks like the Milenage algorithm, which relies on AES-128 encryption. These cards are structurally immune to the brute-force mathematical tracking methods used by legacy software.
Allowing users to back up their SIM card data onto programmable silver or green wafers (blank smart cards), enabling dual-SIM functionality on single-SIM legacy phones. The Operational Process