CVE-2026-42081 PUBLISHED

free5GC: UE Security Capability bypass on NGAP PathSwitchRequest

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 23.04.2026 Published: 27.05.2026 Updated: 27.05.2026

free5GC is an open-source implementation of the 5G core network. Prior to 4.2.2, the AMF in Free5GC does not verify the UE Security Capabilities received in NGAP PathSwitchRequest messages against its locally stored values, as mandated by 3GPP TS 33.501 §6.7.3.1. A malicious gNB can overwrite the AMF's stored UE security capabilities with arbitrary values, which are then propagated in PathSwitchRequest Acknowledge messages and subsequent Handover Request messages. This leads to persistent handover denial-of-service for affected UEs. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.2.2.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L
CVSS Score: 6.1

Product Status

Vendor free5gc
Product free5gc
Versions
  • Version < 4.2.2 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-358: Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard CWE