UC San Diego Researchers Hack Boeing 737 Autopilot With $100 Device
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Researchers at the University of California San Diego and Oberlin College have developed a coin-sized device costing less than $100 that can be installed in a Boeing 737's exterior hatch in under 60 seconds. The implant then sends spurious signals on the plane's internal network to alter autopilot navigation and takeoff calculations while displaying false values to pilots. The team will present the technique Thursday at the Usenix security conference.
Key Facts
- The prototype is roughly coin-sized, Wi-Fi-enabled, and costs less than $100.
- It can be fitted into an exterior hatch port on a Boeing 737 in under 60 seconds.
- The device sends electrical signals to spoof autopilot commands and alter takeoff and fuel calculations while showing pilots false values.
- The research took more than a decade and required buying tens of thousands of dollars' worth of plane components for testing.
- The findings will be presented Thursday at the Usenix security conference.
The Hacking Technique
The device fits into a port accessible through a hatch on the plane's exterior that maintenance workers and airline staff can reach between flights. It then sends electrical signals on one of the Boeing 737's internal networks. These signals spoof commands to systems that control the autopilot and display variables such as total weight and outside air temperature. The researchers say altering those values could cause runway overruns on takeoff or diversion to another country's airspace.
Research and Motivation
The project took more than a decade and required purchasing tens of thousands of dollars' worth of aircraft components for testing. Stefan Savage, a computer science professor at UC San Diego, led the project. He described the motivating question as: 'If you could get 60 seconds with an airplane, what could you do?' The team argues the implant approach gives an attacker more control, stealth, and deniability than planting a bomb.
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UC San Diego Researchers Hack Boeing 737 Autopilot With $100 Device
