6 Critical 5G Core Misconfigurations Exposing Networks

Security architects face an unprecedented challenge as 5G networks rapidly expand across global telecommunications infrastructure. Furthermore, recent assessments reveal that over 78% of deployed 5G core networks contain critical misconfigurations that expose organisations to sophisticated cyber attacks. These 5G security misconfigurations represent the most significant emerging threat vector in modern telecommunications, with attackers increasingly targeting core network functions to gain persistent access to enterprise networks.

Moreover, the complexity of 5G architecture creates multiple attack surfaces that traditional security frameworks cannot adequately address. Consequently, organisations must understand these vulnerabilities immediately to prevent catastrophic breaches that could compromise entire network infrastructures.

Understanding 5G Core Misconfigurations in Modern Networks

5G core networks represent a fundamental shift from previous telecommunications architectures, introducing cloud-native principles and service-based architecture (SBA) that significantly expand potential attack vectors. Additionally, these networks rely heavily on network functions (NFs) that communicate through APIs, creating numerous points where misconfigurations can introduce critical vulnerabilities.

Each network function within the 5G core operates independently, therefore requiring precise configuration to maintain security boundaries. However, the distributed nature of these systems makes it challenging for security teams to identify and remediate misconfigurations before attackers exploit them.

The Critical Security Gap in 5G Deployments

Current deployment practices often prioritise speed over security, subsequently leaving critical 5G security misconfigurations unaddressed during initial rollouts. Specifically, organisations frequently misconfigure authentication mechanisms, network slicing parameters, and API security controls in their rush to enable 5G services.

Research from ENISA indicates that 67% of organisations lack comprehensive security validation processes for their 5G infrastructure. Thus, these gaps create opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through seemingly minor configuration oversights.

Why CTOs Must Prioritise 5G Core Security

The financial impact of 5G core security breaches extends far beyond traditional network compromises, with average incident costs reaching £4.2 million according to recent industry analysis. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks across Europe and North America increasingly hold organisations accountable for telecommunications infrastructure security failures.

CTOs face mounting pressure from boards and regulators to demonstrate proactive security measures for 5G deployments. Consequently, implementing robust detection and prevention strategies for 5G security misconfigurations becomes a business-critical priority that directly impacts organisational reputation and financial stability.

The 6 Most Critical 5G Core Misconfigurations Threatening Networks in 2025

Security researchers have identified six primary misconfiguration categories that consistently appear across compromised 5G deployments. Notably, these vulnerabilities often exist simultaneously within single networks, creating compound risks that dramatically increase potential attack impact.

Authentication Bypass Vulnerabilities

Authentication and Key Management Function (AUSF) misconfigurations represent the most severe category of 5G security vulnerabilities, enabling attackers to bypass primary security controls entirely. For instance, improper configuration of the 5G Authentication and Key Agreement (5G-AKA) protocol can allow malicious actors to authenticate as legitimate network subscribers without valid credentials.

Common authentication misconfigurations include:

• Inadequate key rotation policies for subscriber authentication
• Misconfigured certificate validation in network function communications
• Improper implementation of mutual authentication between core network functions
• Weak or default credentials for administrative access to network functions

Detection strategies for authentication bypass vulnerabilities require continuous monitoring of authentication success rates and anomalous authentication patterns. Additionally, organisations should implement automated alerting for failed authentication attempts that exceed baseline thresholds.

Network Function Isolation Failures

Network function isolation failures occur when security boundaries between different 5G core components become compromised through misconfiguration. Subsequently, attackers can pivot between network functions to escalate privileges and access sensitive telecommunications data.

These misconfigurations typically manifest through inadequate container security policies, misconfigured network segmentation rules, and improper access controls between network functions. Moreover, shared storage misconfigurations can enable lateral movement across supposedly isolated network components.

Detection requires implementing zero-trust principles with continuous verification of network function communications. Therefore, security teams must monitor inter-function traffic patterns and implement automated alerting for unauthorised communication attempts.

API Security Misconfigurations in 5G Security Systems

The service-based architecture of 5G networks relies extensively on RESTful APIs for communication between network functions, creating numerous opportunities for API-related 5G security misconfigurations. Consequently, improperly secured APIs become primary attack vectors for sophisticated threat actors targeting 5G infrastructure.

Critical API misconfigurations include insufficient input validation, missing rate limiting controls, and inadequate authentication mechanisms for API endpoints. Furthermore, many organisations fail to implement proper API versioning and deprecation policies, leaving vulnerable endpoints accessible to attackers.

Real-World Attack Scenarios Exploiting 5G Core Misconfigurations

Understanding how attackers exploit 5G security misconfigurations requires examining real-world scenarios that demonstrate the practical impact of these vulnerabilities. Indeed, recent threat intelligence indicates that state-sponsored actors increasingly target 5G infrastructure through sophisticated campaigns that exploit multiple misconfigurations simultaneously.

Case Study: Enterprise Network Breach via AMF Misconfiguration

A recent enterprise compromise illustrates how Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) misconfigurations enable persistent network access for threat actors. Specifically, attackers exploited improper registration management policies to maintain unauthorised device connections across network mobility events.

The attack progression involved several stages, beginning with reconnaissance of misconfigured registration procedures. Subsequently, attackers registered malicious devices using legitimate subscriber identities obtained through social engineering campaigns targeting telecommunications personnel.

Most significantly, the AMF misconfiguration allowed these malicious registrations to persist across network handovers, enabling continuous access to enterprise network resources. Therefore, security teams must implement comprehensive registration audit trails and automated validation of device legitimacy.

Supply Chain Attacks Through UPF Vulnerabilities

User Plane Function (UPF) misconfigurations create opportunities for supply chain attacks that compromise data integrity across entire 5G networks. For example, inadequate traffic filtering policies enable attackers to inject malicious packets into legitimate data streams, potentially compromising downstream applications and services.

These attacks typically exploit misconfigured Quality of Service (QoS) policies and traffic shaping rules to hide malicious activities within normal network traffic patterns. Additionally, improper UPF monitoring configurations prevent security teams from detecting these sophisticated infiltration attempts.

Early Detection Strategies for 5G Security Vulnerabilities

Proactive detection of 5G security misconfigurations requires implementing comprehensive monitoring strategies that address the unique characteristics of 5G network architecture. Moreover, traditional network monitoring tools often lack the capability to effectively analyse 5G-specific protocols and communication patterns.

Effective detection strategies must encompass both automated monitoring systems and manual security assessment processes. Furthermore, organisations need to establish baseline behaviour patterns for their 5G networks to identify anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation of misconfigurations.

Automated Monitoring and Alerting Systems

Automated monitoring systems for 5G security must analyse multiple data sources simultaneously, including network function logs, API transaction records, and subscriber activity patterns. Consequently, security teams should implement machine learning algorithms that can identify subtle indicators of misconfiguration exploitation.

Key monitoring components include:

• Real-time analysis of network function registration and deregistration events
• Continuous validation of API authentication and authorisation mechanisms
• Automated detection of anomalous inter-function communication patterns
• Subscriber behaviour analysis to identify potentially compromised identities

Integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms enables correlation of 5G-specific events with broader security telemetry. Therefore, organisations can develop comprehensive threat detection capabilities that address both telecommunications-specific and general cybersecurity risks.

Security Assessment Frameworks for 5G Infrastructure

Comprehensive security assessment frameworks must address the unique challenges posed by 5G architecture complexity and the dynamic nature of cloud-native network functions. Additionally, these frameworks should align with established standards from NIST and 3GPP while accommodating organisation-specific requirements.

Regular penetration testing specifically designed for 5G environments helps identify misconfigurations that automated tools might miss. Furthermore, these assessments should include evaluation of both technical configurations and operational security procedures that support 5G network management.

Implementing Zero-Trust Architecture in 5G Core Networks

Zero-trust architecture principles provide the most effective foundation for securing 5G core networks against misconfigurations and subsequent exploitation attempts. Indeed, the distributed nature of 5G networks makes traditional perimeter-based security models inadequate for protecting against sophisticated attacks.

Implementation of zero-trust principles requires fundamental changes to how organisations approach 5G network security, moving from implicit trust models to continuous verification of all network communications. Consequently, every interaction between network functions must be authenticated, authorised, and monitored.

Network Segmentation Best Practices

Effective network segmentation in 5G environments requires implementing multiple layers of isolation between different network functions and subscriber traffic flows. Specifically, organisations should utilise both physical and logical segmentation techniques to create robust security boundaries that prevent lateral movement.

Micro-segmentation strategies enable granular control over communications between individual network functions, thereby reducing the potential impact of any single misconfiguration. Moreover, dynamic segmentation policies can adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining security boundaries.

Container-based network functions require additional segmentation considerations, including proper configuration of container runtime security policies and network namespace isolation. Therefore, security teams must understand both traditional networking concepts and modern containerisation security principles.

Continuous Security Validation Methods

Continuous security validation ensures that 5G security configurations remain effective as networks evolve and expand. Additionally, automated validation processes can identify configuration drift that might introduce new vulnerabilities over time.

These validation methods should include regular compliance checks against security baselines, automated penetration testing of network functions, and continuous assessment of API security configurations. Furthermore, organisations must establish processes for rapid remediation when validation identifies potential security gaps.

Building a Proactive 5G Security Strategy for 2025 and Beyond

Developing a comprehensive 5G security strategy requires understanding both current threat landscapes and anticipated evolution of attack techniques targeting telecommunications infrastructure. Moreover, organisations must balance security requirements with operational efficiency and service delivery objectives.

Strategic planning should incorporate guidance from CISA and GSMA while addressing organisation-specific risk factors and compliance requirements. Subsequently, security strategies must evolve continuously to address emerging threats and technological developments.

Executive Action Plan for CTOs

CTOs must establish clear accountability structures for 5G security that span both technical implementation and business risk management functions. Consequently, executive action plans should define specific responsibilities, timelines, and success metrics for addressing 5G security misconfigurations.

Priority actions for executive leadership include:

1. Conducting comprehensive risk assessments of existing 5G deployments
2. Establishing dedicated 5G security teams with appropriate technical expertise
3. Implementing robust vendor management processes for 5G equipment and services
4. Developing incident response procedures specifically designed for 5G security events

Regular reporting to board level ensures that 5G security receives appropriate organisational attention and resource allocation. Therefore, CTOs should establish clear metrics that demonstrate security improvement progress and residual risk levels.

Budget Allocation for 5G Security Infrastructure

Appropriate budget allocation for 5G security requires understanding both immediate security requirements and long-term strategic objectives for telecommunications infrastructure. Additionally, organisations must consider the total cost of ownership for security solutions, including operational expenses and training requirements.

Security budget planning should account for specialised 5G security tools, training programs for technical staff, and external consulting services for complex security assessments. Furthermore, contingency budgets should address potential incident response costs and regulatory compliance requirements.

Common Questions

How do 5G security misconfigurations differ from traditional network vulnerabilities?

5G security misconfigurations involve cloud-native architectures and service-based communications that create unique attack vectors not present in traditional telecommunications networks. Moreover, the distributed nature of 5G core functions significantly expands potential misconfiguration points compared to centralised legacy systems.

What are the most effective tools for detecting 5G core misconfigurations?

Effective detection requires specialised 5G security platforms that understand network function communications and can analyse service-based architecture interactions. Additionally, organisations should implement SIEM integration capabilities that correlate 5G-specific events with broader security telemetry for comprehensive threat detection.

How often should organisations assess their 5G security configurations?

Continuous monitoring provides the most effective approach for identifying 5G security misconfigurations, supplemented by comprehensive quarterly assessments and annual penetration testing. Furthermore, organisations should conduct immediate assessments following any significant network changes or security incidents.

What regulatory requirements apply to 5G network security?

Regulatory requirements vary by jurisdiction but generally include requirements for risk assessments, security controls implementation, and incident reporting capabilities. Consequently, organisations must understand applicable regulations in their operating regions and ensure compliance with both telecommunications-specific and general cybersecurity requirements.

Conclusion

The strategic imperative for addressing 5G security misconfigurations extends far beyond technical implementation considerations to encompass fundamental business risk management and competitive positioning. Furthermore, organisations that proactively address these vulnerabilities will establish significant advantages in digital transformation initiatives while protecting against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Success in managing 5G security requires combining technical expertise with strategic vision, ensuring that security considerations inform both immediate deployment decisions and long-term infrastructure planning. Therefore, security architects must position themselves as essential partners in organisational digital transformation efforts.

The investment in comprehensive 5G security capabilities delivers measurable returns through reduced incident response costs, improved regulatory compliance, and enhanced organisational reputation. Moreover, organisations that master 5G security will be better positioned to leverage emerging technologies that depend on robust telecommunications infrastructure.

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