# CVE-2026-2523: Open5GS SMF gn-handler.c smf_gn_handle_create_pdp_context_request assertion

> Remote attackers can crash the Open5GS SMF component via a reachable assertion in the PDP context creation handler, causing denial of service.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.9 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 16 Feb 2026
- **Updated:** 23 Feb 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-mvfh-9xv2-5xj7

## What is CVE-2026-2523?

CVE-2026-2523 is a medium-severity denial of service vulnerability in Open5gs Open5gs, published on 16 Feb 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability was detected in Open5GS up to 2.7.6. The affected element is the function smf_gn_handle_create_pdp_context_request of the file /src/smf/gn-handler.c of the component SMF. The manipulation results in reachable assertion. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit is now public and may be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.

Weakness: CWE-617 (Reachable Assertion)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-2523?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Open5gs Open5gs.

## How do I fix CVE-2026-2523?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-2523 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-2523 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-2523 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Open5gs Open5gs

- [CVE-2024-40130](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-40130/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-28122](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-28122/): Missing authorization in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-25863](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25863/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2025-41067](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-41067/): Reachable Assertion vulnerability in Open5GS (high 8.7)
- [CVE-2025-41068](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-41068/): Reachable Assertion vulnerability in Open5GS (high 8.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-2523 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-2523 is a medium-severity denial of service vulnerability in Open5gs Open5gs, published on 16 Feb 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-2523 exists.

Affected product: Open5gs Open5gs. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-2523/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-2523/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-2523
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2523
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-2523

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-2523/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.