Title: Cooperative spectrum sensing and routing related security vulnerabilities in cognitive radio networks: issues, solutions and future challenges

Authors: Prathana Saikia; Sanjib K. Deka; Monisha Devi

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, India ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, India ' Department of Information Technology, Assam Skill University, Mangaldai, Darrang, India

Abstract: Cognitive Radio (CR) is an emerging solution to spectrum scarcity caused by rapid telecommunication growth. This technology operates in frequency bands unused by primary users (PUs), enhancing overall spectrum utilisation. In cognitive radio networks (CRNs), the unused spectrum bands, also called as spectrum holes, are assigned to secondary users (SUs) to attain effective communication amongst SUs. CRNs' spectrum sensing, essential for identifying spectrum gaps, is prone to security risks. Moreover, routing in the network layer relies on accurate physical-layer sensing, which is compromised by these vulnerabilities. Ensuring secure spectrum sensing and routing is vital, as their compromise can affect overall CRN performance. Both traditional wireless network vulnerabilities and CRN-specific vulnerabilities can affect CRNs. In light of this, this paper provides a comprehensive survey of current vulnerability problems and related defences for cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) and CR routing, as well as important unaddressed research challenges that require further investigation.

Keywords: CRN; cognitive radio network; CSS; cooperative spectrum sensing; cognitive radio network routing; attacks; security issues.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCNDS.2026.154604

International Journal of Communication Networks and Distributed Systems, 2026 Vol.32 No.4, pp.339 - 377

Received: 26 Jun 2024
Accepted: 26 Dec 2024
Published online: 07 Jul 2026 *

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