RANsacked: Over 100 Security Flaws Found in LTE and 5G Network Implementations

Latest News on LTE and 5G Security Vulnerabilities (2025)

Discovery and Disclosure of Vulnerabilities

A recent and significant development in the field of LTE and 5G security involves the disclosure of over 100 security vulnerabilities by a group of academics from two US universities. These vulnerabilities affect the implementations of LTE and 5G networks, posing potential risks to the integrity and security of these systems.

• The researchers have developed a new telco infrastructure fuzzing engine named "RANsacked," which is designed to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in the Radio Access Network (RAN) of LTE and 5G networks23.

RANsacked Fuzzing Engine

The RANsacked fuzzing engine is a critical tool in this context, as it allows for the systematic testing and identification of vulnerabilities in the RAN infrastructure. Here are some key points about RANsacked:

• Purpose: RANsacked is intended to simulate various types of network traffic and interactions to uncover potential security flaws that could be exploited by attackers.
• Scope: The engine has already identified more than 100 vulnerabilities in LTE and 5G implementations, highlighting the need for immediate attention and patching from network operators and equipment manufacturers23.

Potential Threats and Impacts

The vulnerabilities discovered using RANsacked could have significant implications for the security and reliability of LTE and 5G networks. Here are some potential threats:

• Exploitation: Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to disrupt network services, intercept sensitive data, or even compromise the integrity of the network infrastructure.
• Impact on Users: Such exploits could lead to service outages, data breaches, and other malicious activities that could affect both individual users and organizations relying on these networks3.

Recommendations and Mitigation

Given the severity of these vulnerabilities, several steps are recommended to mitigate the risks:

• Patch Implementation: Network operators and equipment manufacturers should promptly implement patches and updates to address the identified vulnerabilities.
• Regular Audits: Regular security audits and fuzz testing using tools like RANsacked should be conducted to ensure ongoing security and to identify new vulnerabilities as they arise.
• Enhanced Security Measures: Implementing additional security measures such as intrusion detection systems, encryption, and secure communication protocols can help protect against potential exploits3.

Sources

For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sources:

• [Risky Bulletin: Payment card NFC relay attacks spread across Russia]2
• [The Hacker News: Details of over 100 security vulnerabilities impacting LTE and 5G implementations]3

These sources provide in-depth analysis and technical details about the RANsacked fuzzing engine and the vulnerabilities it has uncovered.