# CVE-2026-44317: free5GC PCF null pointer dereference in app-sessions handler

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44317-free5gc-pcf-null-pointer-dereference-in-app-sessions-handler  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-27. Updated: 2026-06-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-44317 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-05-27

free5GC is an open-source 5G core network implementation. A vulnerability in its Policy Control Function (PCF) allows an authenticated user to crash the session creation service by sending a specifically crafted request. While the overall system remains running, this specific feature becomes unavailable, potentially disrupting network policy management and session establishment.

Technologies: [free5GC PCF](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pcf), [github.com/free5gc/pcf (Go)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/github-com-free5gc-pcf). Vendors: [free5GC](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/free5gc), [Go](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/go).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-44317 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44317 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44317?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 27 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** free5GC PCF < 1.4.3, < 4.2.2; github.com/free5gc/pcf (Go) < 1.4.3, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=1.4.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44317?** Yes. github.com/free5gc/pcf (Go): upgrade to 1.4.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-44317 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44317?** Check whether you run free5GC PCF or github.com/free5gc/pcf (Go) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- github.com/free5gc/pcf (Go): upgrade to 1.4.3 or later

  ```sh
  go get github.com/free5gc/pcf@v1.4.3
  ```


## Technical details

A NULL pointer dereference (CWE-476) exists in the free5GC PCF 'POST /npcf-policyauthorization/v1/app-sessions' handler. When a request is sent with 'suppFeat' set to '1' (enabling traffic-routing) but lacks the 'AfRoutReq' field in 'medComponents', the 'provisioningOfTrafficRoutingInfo' function attempts to dereference the nil 'routeReq' pointer. This results in a Go runtime panic. Although the Gin framework's recovery middleware prevents a full process crash, it results in an HTTP 500 error and prevents successful session creation. The vulnerability is reachable by any user with a valid OAuth2 access token for the 'npcf-policyauthorization' scope. The issue is fixed in version 1.4.3.

## Affected products

- free5GC pcf < 1.4.3

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-44317
- GHSA-wwqh-7jm5-gj7w
- GO-2026-5731

## Timeline

- 2026-03-12: other: Vulnerability validated in lab environment
- 2026-05-08: advisory: GitHub Advisory published
- 2026-05-27: other: NVD published CVE-2026-44317

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu](https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu)
- [https://github.com/LinZiyuu](https://github.com/LinZiyuu)
- [https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu/repos](https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/104151270?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/104151270?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/LinZiyuu/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [free5GC PCF NULL pointer dereference in HandleCreateSmPolicyRequest](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44316-free5gc-pcf-null-pointer-dereference-in)
- [free5GC PCF missing authorization in SMPolicyControl and UEPolicyControl](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42083-free5gc-pcf-missing-authorization-in-smpolicycontrol-and)
- [free5GC PCF: Memory Leak via CORS Middleware Registration in HTTP Handler Leads to Denial of Service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41135-free5gc-pcf-memory-leak-via-cors-middleware-registration-in-http)
- [GO-2025-4164 - Free5GC is vulnerable to DoS through its Npcf_BDTPolicyControl POST API in github.com/free5gc/pcf](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-60632-free5gc-is-vulnerable-to-dos-through-its-npcf-bdtpolicycontrol)