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.
History

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:30:00 +0000

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'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-27T15:59:58.216Z

Reserved: 2026-04-23T19:17:30.565Z

Link: CVE-2026-42081

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-05-27T17:16:34.967

Modified: 2026-05-27T17:16:34.967

Link: CVE-2026-42081

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.