free5GC is an open-source implementation of the 5G core network
Why It Matters
Analysis dossierWhy It Matters
free5GC is an open-source implementation of the 5G core network. Prior to 4.2.2, PCF Npcf_SMPolicyControl missing authentication middleware allows unauthenticated access to SM policy handlers and disclosure of subscriber SUPI. In NewServer(), the smPolicyGroup route group is created and routes are applied without attaching the router authorization middleware. In contrast, other PCF service groups such as Npcf_PolicyAuthorization do attach RouterAuthorizationCheck before route registration. Because the middleware is missing, requests to the /npcf-smpolicycontrol/v1/sm-policies, /npcf-smpolicycontrol/v1/sm-policies/{smPolicyId}, /npcf-smpolicycontrol/v1/sm-policies/{smPolicyId}/update, and /npcf-smpolicycontrol/v1/sm-policies/{smPolicyId}/delete endpoints can reach business logic even when no valid OAuth token is provided. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.2.2.
High
Unknown
Unknown
Risk basis: SOC ecosystem technology relevance; HIGH severity; No confirmed exploitation signal in current enrichment
Affected Products & Remediation
1 source-backed product- free5gc free5gc · < 4.2.2 · NVD CPE · Source
Vendor or catalog guidance (source)
Not provided by source
Known exploitation (source facts)
Only what a source states. Unknown means no source has said either way; it is not "not exploited".
- CISA KEV
- Unknown
- Exploited (source statement)
- Unknown
- Publicly disclosed (source)
- Unknown
Suggested hunting (rule-based inference)
SecOps Signal recommendation (rule-based inference). These steps are hunting hypotheses from the vulnerability class; they do not state or imply that exploitation occurred here or anywhere.
Matched authorization-bypass (CWE-862); network-unauthenticated (CVSS AV:N, CVSS PR:N, CVSS UI:N)
Exposure
- Locate affected authorization controls and verify deployed versions.Telemetry: Application inventory · The source must identify the affected control. · Rule authorization-bypass
- Identify devices reporting this CVE and note which expose the affected service to untrusted networks.Telemetry: DeviceTvmSoftwareVulnerabilities · A network-reachable, no-privilege vector makes internet-facing instances the first exposure question. · Rule network-unauthenticated
Exploitation evidence
- Review privileged operations performed by unexpected users on affected deployments.Telemetry: Application audit logs · Authorization anomalies can support a targeted hunt. · Rule authorization-bypass
Show more (2)
Exploitation evidence
- Review inbound connections to the affected service from unexpected sources since the advisory date.Telemetry: DeviceNetworkEvents · Hunting hypothesis from the CVSS vector; it does not show that exploitation occurred. · Rule network-unauthenticated
Response
- Confirm the vendor mitigation and recheck access decisions.Telemetry: Application audit logs · Access testing verifies the local fix. · Rule authorization-bypass
CISA KEV Record
CISA KEV status was not determined for this record.
Change History & Source Data
— No recorded material change
- CNA / source
- security-advisories@github.com
- Record status · verification
- UPDATED · NVD API
- CPE
- cpe:2.3:a:free5gc:free5gc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Evidence & Provenance
Linked by the query's stored exact CVE association. Review required tables and validation status before use.
DeviceTvmSoftwareVulnerabilities| where CveId == "CVE-2026-42083"| project DeviceId, DeviceName, OSPlatform, OSVersion, SoftwareVendor, SoftwareName, SoftwareVersion, CveId, VulnerabilitySeverityLevel, RecommendedSecurityUpdate, RecommendedSecurityUpdateId| sort by VulnerabilitySeverityLevel descCorrelated briefings
— No published briefing references this CVE