We are delighted to announce a significant achievement from our project partner Ikerlan. Our latest research paper has been accepted for publication at the IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) 2024!
About the Research
In collaboration with the University of Padua, our team at the Ikerlan Technology Research Centre has conducted the first comprehensive security assessment of the 5G core network from a web security perspective. This research is crucial in addressing the vulnerabilities within the dynamic and customizable 5G environments, which are integral to the future of mobile networks.
Key Findings
- STRIDE Threat Modeling: We employed the STRIDE threat modeling approach to create a thorough list of potential threat vectors and associated attacks.
- Security Testing: Utilizing a suite of advanced security testing tools, we assessed the security of three prominent open-source 5G core implementations: Open5GS, Free5Gc, and OpenAirInterface.
- Vulnerability Identification: Our analysis revealed that all tested cores are susceptible to at least two identified attack vectors, highlighting the urgent need for improved security protocols in future 5G core developments.
The Team
This pioneering research was conducted by a dedicated team of experts:
- Filippo Giambartolomei, Ikerlan Technology Research Centre, BRTA, Spain
- Marc Barcelo, Ikerlan Technology Research Centre, BRTA, Spain
- Alessandro Brighente, Department of Mathematics, University of Padua, Italy
- Aitor Urbieta, Ikerlan Technology Research Centre, BRTA, Spain
- Mauro Conti, Department of Mathematics, University of Padua, Italy
We are proud to contribute to the advancement of 5G technology and its security. This work underscores the importance of robust security measures to safeguard the future of mobile networks.
For further details, please refer to the published paper at the IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) 2024.