UCSD Researchers Hack Boeing 737 in Under 60 Seconds

Researchers from UC San Diego have successfully hacked into a Boeing 737 aircraft in under 60 seconds, demonstrating a critical vulnerability in the plane's mainframe computer. The hack was carried out by doctoral student Sam Crow as part of his research project under the guidance of computer scientist Aaron Schulman.

The team found that a device the size of a quarter could be used to gain remote control of the aircraft's mainframe, allowing them to change the plane's flight path and alter data that could make takeoff conditions unsafe. Crow was able to test his theory using old computers from Boeing planes, which he purchased online.

The research team alerted Boeing to its findings in April 2020, and after initial delays due to COVID, Boeing engineers invited the UCSD team to their test lab where they demonstrated the hack on a 737 testbed in December 2023. Boeing has since taken steps to ensure that their planes are safe.

UCSD's research paper acknowledges the potential threats of educating attackers about this vulnerability but weighed it against the benefits of understanding and mitigating similar threats in the future. The team also omitted certain details from their published work to prevent an attacker from duplicating their efforts.