CVE-2026-42081 MEDIUM

CVE-2026-42081: free5GC: UE Security Capability bypass on NGAP PathSwitchRequest

Vendor Free5Gc
Product free5gc
Weakness CWE-358
Published May 27, 2026
Last update May 27, 2026

CVSS base score

6.1/10
Attack vector Adjacent
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required None
User interaction None
Confidentiality None
Integrity Low

CVSS vector

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

What the vulnerability does

01Description

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.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

May 27, 2026 CVE published
May 27, 2026 Record updated