A few days ago, FBI security researcher Chris Roberts claimed he was able to hack into aircraft control systems multiple times, mid-flight, using only the Seat Electronic Box (SEB) available under the passenger seats of most modern aircraft.

Essentially, Roberts claimed he managed to exploit planes' in-flight entertainment (IFE) system to gain access to their main control network. However, he reportedly did more than a simple sneak peek into the supposedly secure network. According to an article in the Business Insider, in at least one point, Roberts even managed to cause one of the engines to climb, resulting to a lateral or sideways swerve.

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Security experts who study modern aircrafts' control systems are yet to come up with a concrete answer to the pressing question Roberts brought about: "Can an airplane really be compromised by hacking its entertainment system?"

For many, the answer is in the affirmative. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report (posted in the New York Times) expounded on the fact that with the expanding influence of the Internet, even commercial aircraft systems are relaying some of their features on the Web. The report went on to say: "This interconnectedness can potentially provide unauthorized remote access to aircraft avionics systems."

The report also explained that the very fact that flight passengers could easily make the switch between watching television and getting a real-time map showing their current coordinates and trajectory (data that only the plane's internal system could provide) already proves that there is a data link between flight control and the IFE.

As tensions rose high on the issue of commercial air safety,  airline companies were quick to defend their in-flight systems and the security measures they have in place. United Airlines for one denied the threat, and in a statement to Yahoo! Tech, a spokesperson had this to say: "We will continue to cooperate with the FBI on its investigation, but our internal review with our aircraft manufacturer partners makes us confident that these claims are unfounded."

Another spokesperson, for Boeing this time, assured the media that their pilots have more than one navigation system. He also said no changes could be made to the flight plan loaded onto the aircraft system unless the pilot reviews and approves it.

Tagshacking, airline, fbi hacker, United Airlines