CROSS-FLUX: A Semi-Virtualized 5G-V2X Cross-Border Platform for Scalable Security Testing

In this demo paper, we present CROSS-FLUX, a novel cross-border, semi-virtualized platform designed to integrate real-world testing environments with advanced 5G vehicular network simulations for cutting-edge cybersecurity research. CROSS-FLUX enables the development, testing, and validation of network security solutions by simulating complex 5G vehicle-to-everything (V2X) use-cases involving vehicle communications across borders. The platform is particularly suited for simulating large-scale attacks involving numerous V2X nodes and collecting datasets to develop machine learning (in particular, deep learning) based intrusion detection systems. Our demo highlights its capability in detecting denial of service attacks, showcasing the platform's ability to combine a real testbed and simulations to comprehensively analyze real-world and simulated network behaviors under various cyberattack scenarios. Using two open-core network implementations to represent different mobile network operators (MNOs), CROSS-FLUX demonstrates seamless interoperability across MNOs in cross-border contexts. This flexible, scalable, and realistic platform facilitates advanced research into vehicular network security and cross-border communication resilience, providing a robust foundation for evaluating security solutions in increasingly complex and interconnected environments.