CVE-2025-59172 in Packet Core Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
Ericsson Packet Core Controller (PCC) versions prior to 1.38 contain an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements vulnerability allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
The Ericsson Packet Core Controller represents a critical infrastructure component in telecommunications networks serving as the central control plane for packet-switched services. This system orchestrates signaling and control functions for mobile network operations including session management, authentication, and policy enforcement across 3GPP networks. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 138, indicating a long-standing flaw that has persisted across multiple releases, suggesting inadequate security testing or remediation processes within the vendor's development lifecycle.
This vulnerability manifests as an improper neutralization of special elements, classified under CWE-74 which encompasses issues where input validation fails to properly sanitize data containing special characters or control sequences. The specific flaw allows attackers to inject malicious code that executes with root privileges, effectively providing complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability typically arises when the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied inputs before processing them in privileged contexts, creating opportunities for command injection or code execution attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise as it enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the packet core controller. This level of access allows adversaries to manipulate network traffic flows, modify authentication databases, alter service policies, and potentially disrupt network operations affecting thousands of concurrent users. The root-level execution capability means attackers can modify system binaries, establish persistence mechanisms, and access sensitive network infrastructure data without detection. Such vulnerabilities represent a significant risk to network security and customer privacy within telecommunications environments.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Ericsson's official patches or upgrades to version 1.38 or later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the neutralization issue. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all packet core controller deployments and consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if compromise occurs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for input validation controls and privilege separation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution. Organizations should also maintain detailed incident response procedures specifically addressing telecommunications infrastructure compromises to ensure rapid detection and remediation of such critical vulnerabilities.