Hacker shows passenger jets are vulnerable to cyber attack

[Anthea]

Telegraph

Hacker shows passenger jets are vulnerable to cyber attack

A cyber security researcher has worked out how to hack the satellite communications equipment on passenger jets through their WiFi and inflight entertainment systems

Cyber security researcher Ruben Santamarta says he has figured out how to hack the satellite communications equipment on passenger jets through their WiFi and inflight entertainment systems – a claim that, if confirmed, could prompt a review of aircraft security.

Santamarta, a consultant with cyber security firm IOActive, is scheduled to lay out the technical details of his research at this week's Black Hat hacking conference in Las Vegas, an annual convention where thousands of hackers and security experts meet to discuss emerging cyber threats and improve security measures.

His presentation on Thursday on vulnerabilities in satellite communications systems used in aerospace and other industries is expected to be one of the most widely watched at the conference.

"These devices are wide open. The goal of this talk is to help change that situation," Santamarta, 32, told Reuters.

The researcher said he discovered the vulnerabilities by "reverse engineering" – or decoding – highly specialised software known as firmware, used to operate communications equipment made by Cobham, Harris, EchoStar's Hughes Network Systems, Iridium Communications and Japan Radio Co.

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