Hacker reveals threat to aircraft cyber-security

In theory, a hacker could hack into an aircraft’s avionics equipment through its Wi-Fi and inflight entertainment systems, according to a cyber-security specialist.

And Berlin-based Ruben Santamarta, a consultant with cyber security firm IOActive, is scheduled to explain his method at this week’s Black Hat hacking conference in Las Vegas.

He said he discovered the vulnerabilities by “reverse engineering” - or decoding - equipment firmware, used to operate communications equipment made by Cobham, Harris, Hughes Network Systems, Iridium and Japan Radio.

However, Santamarta admitted that this had only been tested in controlled environments, and they might be difficult to replicate in the real world. Also, others familiar with his research - including avionics equipment manufacturers - are not convinced that a hacker could actually launch an attack from the passenger inflight entertainment system into the cockpit. And cyber security experts believe it’s too early to say for certain.

But Santamarta said he decided to go public to encourage manufacturers to fix what he saw as risky security flaws.

Sources: Airwise News, Reuters, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Aviation News.