System-level Analysis of Adversarial Attacks and Defenses on Intelligence in O-RAN based Cellular Networks

While the open architecture, open interfaces, and integration of intelligence within Open Radio Access Network technology hold the promise of transforming 5G and 6G networks, they also introduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities that hinder its widespread adoption. In this paper, we conduct a thorough system-level investigation of cyber threats, with a specific focus on machine learning (ML) intelligence components known as xApps within the O-RAN's near-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller (near-RT RIC) platform. Our study begins by developing a malicious xApp designed to …

access adoption adversarial adversarial attacks analysis architecture attacks cellular cs.cr cs.sy cyber cybersecurity cybersecurity vulnerabilities defenses eess.sy integration intelligence investigation network networks radio system technology vulnerabilities