GPS Spoofers Disrupt Commercial Airlines by Manipulating Time, Researchers Warn
GPS spoofing incidents affecting commercial airlines have surged by 400% recently. Illicit ground-based GPS systems near conflict zones are broadcasting false positions to confuse drones or missiles. Manipulating time through GPS spoofing can disrupt aircraft systems, leading to grounding and manual resets.
Cybersecurity researchers have noted a significant 400% rise in GPS spoofing incidents affecting commercial airlines in recent months, as reported by aviation advisory body OPSGROUP. These incidents often involve illicit ground-based GPS systems, particularly near conflict zones, broadcasting false positions to confuse incoming drones or missiles.
Ken Munro, the founder of Pen Test Partners, a British cybersecurity company, highlighted the unexpected impact of GPS spoofing on time during a presentation at the DEF CON hacking convention in Las Vegas. Munro stated, "We think too much about GPS being a source of position, but it's actually a source of time."
In a conversation with Reuters, Munro recounted a recent alarming event where a major Western airline's aircraft experienced a sudden time jump of years on its onboard clocks due to spoofing. This anomaly led to the plane losing access to its digitally-encrypted communication systems, resulting in the aircraft being grounded for weeks while engineers manually reset its systems. The specific airline and aircraft involved were not disclosed by Munro.
Earlier this year, Finnair temporarily halted flights to Tartu in eastern Estonia due to GPS spoofing incidents attributed to Russia by Tallin.
GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, has largely replaced costly ground devices that guide planes during landings using radio beams. However, GPS signals can be easily disrupted or distorted with inexpensive components and basic technical knowledge.
Munro reassured Reuters that while GPS spoofing may not directly cause a plane crash, it can introduce confusion and potentially trigger a chain of events leading to more serious consequences.
GPS spoofing incidents affecting commercial airlines have surged by 400% recently.
Illicit ground-based GPS systems near conflict zones are broadcasting false positions to confuse drones or missiles.
Manipulating time through GPS spoofing can disrupt aircraft systems, leading to grounding and manual resets.
Source: REUTERS