Title: Securing 5G Network Infrastructure From Protocol-Based Attacks and Network Slicing Exploits in Advanced Telecommunications
Authors: Olanrewaju Oluwaseun Ajayi, Naomi Chukwurah ,Abiodun Sunday Adebayo
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: 403-419
Publication Date: 2025/03/28
Abstract:
The advent of 5G technology has revolutionized telecommunications, offering unprecedented speed, low latency, and enhanced connectivity. However, these advancements have introduced significant security challenges, particularly in the form of protocol-based attacks and network slicing exploits. This paper examines the vulnerabilities inherent in 5G network protocols, such as authentication flaws, signaling storms, and session hijacking, which adversaries exploit to compromise network integrity. Additionally, it investigates the security risks associated with network slicing, where malicious actors can infiltrate or manipulate virtualized network segments, leading to cross-slice attacks and data leakage. Through an in-depth analysis of existing threat vectors, this study identifies key attack surfaces and evaluates their potential impact on network availability, confidentiality, and integrity. The findings highlight the insufficiency of traditional security measures in mitigating these threats, necessitating advanced defense mechanisms such as AI-driven anomaly detection, zero-trust architectures, and blockchain-based authentication protocols. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of regulatory frameworks and industry collaboration in establishing robust security policies tailored to 5G's dynamic environment. Securing 5G infrastructure against protocol-based attacks and network slicing exploits requires a multi-layered approach that integrates cutting-edge security techniques with proactive risk management. By adopting adaptive security models and reinforcing policy enforcement mechanisms, stakeholders can enhance the resilience of 5G networks, ensuring a secure and reliable telecommunications ecosystem. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on 5G security by proposing actionable strategies for mitigating emerging threats in next-generation networks.