Edge Computing Attacks
5G edge computing brings computation closer to users for low latency. Attacks target edge nodes, multi-tenancy isolation, or exploit the distributed nature of edge infrastructure.
Technical Overview
Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) in 5G creates distributed computing resources at the network edge. These edge nodes, if compromised, can affect multiple users and services. Attacks target virtualization, APIs, or physical security of edge locations.
- •Edge node compromise
- •Multi-tenant data leakage
- •Service disruption for edge applications
- •Lateral movement to core network
- •Privacy violations through edge data access
- •Edge node virtualization exploitation
- •Multi-tenancy isolation breach
- •Edge API vulnerabilities
- •Physical access to edge locations
- •Supply chain attacks on edge equipment
- 1Identify edge computing infrastructure
- 2Analyze edge node security posture
- 3Exploit virtualization vulnerabilities
- 4Attempt multi-tenant isolation breach
- 5Target edge APIs and management interfaces
- 6Pivot to other edge nodes or core network
- Implement strong edge node isolation
- Use hardware-based security (TEE, SGX)
- Secure edge APIs and management
- Physical security for edge locations
- Monitor for edge anomalies
- Implement zero-trust architecture
- →Edge computing security research
- →Multi-tenant isolation breaches
- →Edge node compromise scenarios
- →Supply chain attacks on edge equipment
Related Attacks
5G networks expose numerous APIs for network functions, edge computing, and third-party services. Vulnerabilities in these APIs can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and service disruption.
Network slicing exploits target the 5G feature that creates multiple virtual networks on shared infrastructure, attempting to breach slice isolation or perform cross-slice attacks.
5G enables massive IoT deployments. Attacks target the large number of connected IoT devices, exploiting weak security, default credentials, or protocol vulnerabilities.