No Authentication for Very High Frequency Data Link messages used in CPDLC
Priority LOW 31CWE-306Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · Low
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-306.
Summary
Lack of authentication for Very High Frequency Data Link messages allows rogue ground stations to inject CPDLC messages leading to unexpected or misleading clearances and potential pilot confusion. This type of attack can be carried out remotely over radio frequency.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00329 26th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-71409
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-pf5c-m7c5-xfm9
References
More ATN-B1 vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-43526 In CPDLC, False Emergency or Status Messages Will be Accepted as Legitimate CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.1
- TI-2025-43527 In CPDLC, Malformed or Out of Sequence Frames Can Cause Resets CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.0
- TI-2025-43525 In CPDLC, Broadcast Control Frames Can Disconnect Multiple Aircraft Simultaneously CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.0
- TI-2025-43524 Malicious Link Control Frames Can Cause Loss of CPDLC Functions CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.0
Sources
- CVE-2025-71409 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-71409 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-pf5c-m7c5-xfm9 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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