NRF Poisoning

In telecom networks, NRF Poisoning is an attack where an adversary registers forged or manipulated Network Function profiles in the 5G Network Repository Function so that consumer NFs discover and call attacker-controlled producers. It is mitigated by strict mutual TLS, OAuth2 client authentication, NF profile validation, and segmentation of the SBA management plane.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkSecurity Controls

NRF Poisoning in context

The radio access network is the layer where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations, downgrade attacks and jamming, and defenses hinge on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

The mobile core is where subscriber sessions, mobility and policy live. In 4G it is the EPC (MME, HSS, S/PGW); in 5G it is the Service-Based Architecture with AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM and the NRF. Core exposure is the difference between a single-subscriber leak and a fleet-wide breach.

To place NRF Poisoning in the wider telecom-security picture, review Inter-Network Function Authentication, OAuth2 in 5G Core, HTTP, Network Exposure Function (NEF), NRF and 5G SBA.

Related terms

Equipment

5G SBA control (NRF, SCP, NSSF, BSF, NWDAF)

Articles in the P1 mobile network security guide

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