CVE-2022-38870
Published: 25 October 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-38870 is a high-severity Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability in Free5Gc Free5Gc. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 2.0% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
Free5gc version 3.2.1 contains an information disclosure vulnerability tracked as CVE-2022-38870 and assigned CWE-306 for missing authentication on a critical function. The flaw received a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflecting network-accessible attack conditions with no required credentials or user interaction, resulting in high impact to confidentiality while leaving integrity and availability unaffected.
An unauthenticated attacker with network reachability can exploit the missing authentication to retrieve sensitive data from the affected 5G core implementation. Because the vector requires no privileges, the exposure extends to any remote party able to reach the service, enabling straightforward reconnaissance or leakage of internal configuration and operational details.
The associated GitHub issue references document the problem but do not detail official patches or configuration work-arounds in the supplied references. Exploitation probability rose sharply after disclosure, reaching a peak EPSS score of 0.8986 before receding to the current value of 0.5243, indicating sustained external interest in the flaw following public release.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-41428
Vulnerability details
Free5gc v3.2.1 is vulnerable to Information disclosure.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requires established identification and authentication to unlock, mitigating missing authentication for continued system access.
Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.
Authorizing mobile device connections to organizational systems ensures authentication is performed for this critical access function.
Guarantees critical functions are protected by mandatory invocation of the access control mechanism.
Auditing sessions makes it possible to detect access to critical functions without required authentication.
The assessment process confirms authentication is present and effective for critical functions, preventing exploitation from missing authentication.
Certification assesses that critical functions have required authentication controls in place.
Disabling non-essential functions and services eliminates the need to secure them, reducing exposure from missing authentication on unnecessary components.