Service disruption via malformed PFCP association request
Published Feb 23, 2026 · Updated Feb 23, 2026
Improper input validation in free5GC go-upf 1.2.6 and earlier and SMF 1.4.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to disrupt 5G core service. The UPF accepts a malformed PFCP Association Setup Request whose contained item length exceeds its container, then enters an inconsistent association state instead of rejecting the message. Unauthenticated network access to PFCP port 8805 is sufficient; a later legitimate session request drives SMF heartbeat failures, association retries, and service degradation.
Summary
What happened
Improper input validation in free5GC go-upf 1.2.6 and earlier and SMF 1.4.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to disrupt 5G core service. The UPF accepts a malformed PFCP Association Setup Request whose contained item length exceeds its container, then enters an inconsistent association state instead of rejecting the message. Unauthenticated network access to PFCP port 8805 is sufficient; a later legitimate session request drives SMF heartbeat failures, association retries, and service degradation.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-69232
- Published
- Feb 23, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 23, 2026
- Vendor
- free5GC
- Product
- go-upf
- Classifications
- CWE-20, T1499
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 23, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 23, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=<= 1.2.6
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- Malformed PFCP Association Setup Request reproductionproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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