CVE-2026-42081

free5GC: UE Security Capability bypass on NGAP PathSwitchRequest

Published May 27, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.1 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-77x9-rf64-92gv Free5GC AMF Bypasses UE Security Capabilities on NGAP PathSwitchRequest
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:free5gc:free5gc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Free5gc
Free5gc free5gc
Vendors & Products Free5gc
Free5gc free5gc
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title free5GC: UE Security Capability bypass on NGAP PathSwitchRequest
Weaknesses CWE-358
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
May 27, 2026, 5:56 PM
Reserved
Apr 23, 2026, 7:17 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 27, 2026, 5:16 PM
Modified
Oct 14, 2026, 8:10 PM