free5gc — Vulnerabilities & Security Advisories 53

Free5Gc is an open-source implementation of the 5G core network, primarily utilized by researchers and developers for testing and validating 5G network architectures without proprietary constraints. Its widespread adoption in academic and experimental environments has exposed it to significant security scrutiny, resulting in thirty-three recorded Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures. The most prevalent vulnerability classes include remote code execution, cross-site scripting, and privilege escalation, often stemming from insufficient input validation and improper access controls within its microservices-based architecture. While no major public incidents involving widespread exploitation have been widely documented, the high volume of CVEs highlights inherent risks in deploying unhardened core infrastructure components. These flaws underscore the necessity for rigorous security auditing and patch management when integrating Free5Gc into any operational or semi-operational network environment, as default configurations frequently lack robust defense-in-depth mechanisms.