Volume 13, Issue 6 (June 2026), Pages: 115-124

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 Original Research Paper

Blockchain-based certificateless authentication with a privacy-preserving scheme in 5G-based vehicular fog computing

 Author(s): 

Zeyad Ghaleb Al-Mekhlafi ^1, *, Aleiah Jarallah Alrashdan ¹, Kawther A. Al-Dhlan ², Hamad A. Al-Reshidi ³

 Affiliation(s):

¹Department of Information and Computer Science, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Hail, Hail 81481, Hail, Saudi Arabia
²Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Hail, Hail 81481, Saudi Arabia
³Department of Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia

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 * Corresponding Author. 

   Corresponding author's ORCID profile:  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6367-0309

 Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

 
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2026.06.011

 Abstract

This study proposes a novel approach that integrates a permissioned blockchain with a certificateless authentication scheme. The proposed model enables secure, decentralized, and efficient authentication among vehicles, fog nodes, and Roadside Units (RSUs), while eliminating the need for centralized certificate authorities. Certificateless cryptography enhances user privacy and reduces computational burden, whereas blockchain technology ensures transparency and immutability by securely recording authentication events. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated through comprehensive simulations implemented in Python within a realistic 5G-enabled VFC environment. Key performance metrics, including authentication success rate, resistance to replay attacks, and blockchain scalability, are analyzed. The results demonstrate a high authentication success rate of up to 90.7%, efficient blockchain growth, and sustained system performance even in the absence of RSUs. These findings confirm the scalability, robustness, and practical applicability of the proposed scheme. Overall, this study presents a secure, privacy-preserving, and infrastructure-independent authentication framework suitable for deployment in smart cities and autonomous vehicular networks.

 © 2026 The Authors. Published by IASE.

 This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

 Keywords

Vehicular fog computing, Certificateless authentication, Permissioned blockchain, Vehicular security, Smart transportation systems

 Article history

Received 5 December 2025, Received in revised form 29 March 2026, Accepted 11 June 2026

 Acknowledgment

No acknowledgment. 

 Compliance with ethical standards

 Citation:

Al-Mekhlafi ZG, Alrashdan AJ, Al-Dhlan KA, and Al-Reshidi HA (2026). Blockchain-based certificateless authentication with a privacy-preserving scheme in 5G-based vehicular fog computing. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 13(6): 115-124

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