## 4 Security Threat Landscape in 5G Networks
### Fifth-Generation Network Potential Vulnerabilities  
The versatile and advanced features of 5G networks, while propelling significant improvements in terms of connectivity, speed, and user experience, simultaneously pave the way for a multitude of potential vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, due to the broad attack surface and the complexity of the 5G system, can emerge at various layers and interfaces of the network. Device-level vulnerabilities: The anticipated explosion of connected devices, particularly under the proliferation of the IoT in the 5G era, inherently expands the attack surface. Each connected device, ranging from smart home appliances to industrial sensors, represents a potential point of vulnerability. The security protocols of these devices, often \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c p{142.3 pt}} \hline \hline
**Generation** & **Threat Landscape and Security Features** \\ \hline
1G & Primarily focused on analog voice services, leading to limited security concerns. Risk of eavesdropping due to the lack of encryption. \\ \hline
2G & Transition to digital communication led to data interception threats. Security measures include encryption algorithms such as A5/1 to counteract these risks. \\ \hline
3G & Introduction of broadband and IP-based services expanded the threat landscape to include malware, phishing, and data leakage. Security enhancements like robust encryption and mutual authentication were deployed. \\ \hline
4G & All-IP network structure brought new threats like DoS, MitM, and data sniffing attacks. Advanced security measures such as stronger encryption algorithms and firewalls were introduced. \\ \hline
5G & Decentralized and software-driven architecture gives rise to advanced cyber threats, including edge computing vulnerabilities and supply chain attacks. IoT integration amplifies risks like large-scale botnet attacks and data privacy breaches. Countermeasures include zero-trust architecture and AI-based anomaly detection. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 4: The evolution of the threat landscape from 1G to 5G networks [35; 78; 79]. low-powered and with minimal security features, can be exploited by malicious entities, thus allowing unauthorized access into the network [84]. Software and virtualization vulnerabilities: The shift towards SDN and NFV in 5G networks, while improving network flexibility and management, opens new potential security holes. The possibility of software bugs, misconfigurations, and the lack of physical control over virtualized functions could lead to security breaches. Furthermore, these centralized functions could present single points of failure, where compromises can have widespread effects [74; 75]. Network slicing vulnerabilities: Although network slicing provides a platform for customized and isolated services, it also introduces security risks. An adversary gaining access to one network slice could exploit inter-slice vulnerabilities, affecting other slices and possibly leading to cross-slice attacks. Therefore, securing slice isolation becomes critical [56; 57; 58; 59]. Edge computing vulnerabilities: While edge computing provides benefits in terms of latency and bandwidth utilization, it also places data and computation closer to potential attack points. This shift exposes the network to additional local breaches and data leaks, mandating advanced security solutions at the edge [68; 69; 70]. Radio interface vulnerabilities: The use of new radio technologies such as massive MIMO and mmWave can introduce vulnerabilities related to signal interception and jamming. Also, these technologies, while improving network capacity and speed, could potentially be exploited to launch DoS attacks [84; 85]. Supply chain vulnerabilities: The global and complex nature of the 5G supply chain can present significant security risks. The compromise of hardware or software at any point in the supply chain, such as the inclusion of malicious code or the installation of hardware backdoors, can lead to widespread network vulnerabilities [80].