TLS 1.3 (Transport Layer Security 1.3)

Also known as: TLSv1.3

TLS 1.3 (RFC 8446) is the current TLS version, mandatory on the 5G SBA for HTTP/2 between NFs and required by 3GPP TS 33.210 and TS 33.501 for SEPP N32-c/N32-f and service-based interfaces. It removes legacy ciphers (RC4, 3DES, CBC, RSA key transport), always provides forward secrecy, and supports 0-RTT with anti-replay controls that must be disabled for non-idempotent SBA operations.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkSignaling

TLS 1.3 in context

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

The mobile core carries subscriber sessions, mobility and policy. 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.

To place TLS 1.3 in the wider telecom-security picture, review 5G SA, AMF, Base Station (BS), Capacity Planning, CAPEX and CSCF — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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