CVE-2025-69232: free5GC hasProtocol Compliance Violation in UPF Leading to SMF Service Disruption

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-69232 is a high (CVSS 7.5) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in free5gc go-upf. EPSS estimates a 0.41% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 34.3% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 23-02-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 25-02-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

free5GC is an open-source project for 5th generation (5G) mobile core networks. free5GC go-upf versions up to and including 1.2.6, corresponding to free5gc smf up to and including 1.4.0, have an Improper Input Validation and Protocol Compliance vulnerability leading to Denial of Service. Remote attackers can disrupt core network functionality by sending a malformed PFCP Association Setup Request. The UPF incorrectly accepts it, entering an inconsistent state that causes subsequent legitimate requests to trigger SMF reconnection loops and service degradation. All deployments of free5GC using the UPF and SMF components may be affected. As of time of publication, a fix is in development but not yet available. No direct workaround is available at the application level. Applying the official patch, once released, is recommended.

• CWE-20Improper Input ValidationThe product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.