Security News > 2020 > March > How 4G and 5G networks are vulnerable to Denial-of-Service attacks
A report released Thursday by Positive Technologies explains how and why existing 4G and new 5G networks can be hurt by Denial-of-Service attacks in particular.
Specifically, the company looked at 4G and 5G networks using Diameter signaling protocol, a method for coordinating data among different Internet Protocol network elements.
The flaws in the Diameter signaling protocol and the potential DOS attacks can affect users of both 4G and nascent 5G networks.
This is because the first generation of 5G networks, known as 5G Non-Standalone, is based on the LTE network core, which means it inherits all of the security weaknesses of LTE. "A lot of the major mobile operators are already starting to roll out their 5G networks and so the industry needs to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past by having security front and center of any network design," Dmitry Kurbatov, CTO at Positive Technologies, said in a press release.
For organizations involved in cellular technology, Positive Technologies offers recommendations to help protect 4G and 5G networks from DOS attacks.