Vulnerability Analysis In Iot Network Protocols In The Context of Smart Cities

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has driven the rise of Smart Cities, integrating vast networks of sensors and smart devices to support critical urban services such as intelligent transporta- tion, smart grids, healthcare, and public safety. However, IoT infrastruc- tures rely on low-power, resource-constrained networks using lightweight protocols like RPL and 6LoWPAN, which pose significant security chal- lenges due to limited device capacity and decentralized network struc- tures. This paper presents a Systematic Literature Mapping (SLM) analyzing vulnerabilities in IoT protocols within Smart Cities. Eighteen primary studies from IEEE, ACM, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Springer were re- viewed, identifying vulnerable network layers, frequently targeted proto- cols, and common attacks such as Sinkhole, Sybil, Man-in-the-Middle, and Denial of Service (DoS/DDoS). Results show that routing and trans- port layers are especially at risk, threatening network availability and data integrity. The study also highlights effective mitigation strategies, including deep learning-based intrusion detection, trust-based architectures, and hybrid hardware–software solutions. These findings stress the need for adaptive, intelligent defens