Summary
ATN-B1 CPDLC relies on legacy clear text unauthenticated radio frequency links. Research demonstrates that these characteristics allow unauthorized message injection, denial-of-service conditions, and forced session resets. These vulnerabilities do not constitute an unsafe aircraft condition but can degrade operational safety margins by increasing workload, delaying safety-critical instructions, and reducing situational awareness.
The following versions of CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities are affected:
- ATN-B1 CPDLC vers:all/* (CVE-2025-71409, CVE-2025-71410, CVE-2025-71411, CVE-2025-71412, CVE-2025-71413)
| CVSS | Standard | Equipment | Vulnerabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| v3 7.1 | Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications | CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities | Missing Authentication for Critical Function, Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions |
Background
- Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Transportation Systems
- Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide
- Company Headquarters Location: Global
CVE-2025-71409
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.
Affected Products
CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities
Standard:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications
Product Version:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications ATN-B1 CPDLC: vers:all/*
Product Status:
known_affected
Relevant CWE: CWE-306 Missing Authentication for Critical Function
Metrics
| CVSS Version | Base Score | Base Severity | Vector String |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 7.1 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:L |
| 4.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:H/SA:L |
CVE-2025-71410
Unnumbered Disconnect (U DISC) and malformed Aviation Very High Frequency Link Control frames can terminate sessions and lead to a loss of CPDLC functions requiring a reversion to voice communication and increased controller workload. This type of attack can be carried out remotely over radio frequency.
Affected Products
CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities
Standard:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications
Product Version:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications ATN-B1 CPDLC: vers:all/*
Product Status:
known_affected
Relevant CWE: CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
Metrics
| CVSS Version | Base Score | Base Severity | Vector String |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 5.3 | MEDIUM | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
| 4.0 | 6 | MEDIUM | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
CVE-2025-71411
Broadcast control frames can disconnect multiple aircraft simultaneously leading to delayed clearances and air traffic controller overload. This type of attack can be carried out remotely over radio frequency.
Affected Products
CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities
Standard:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications
Product Version:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications ATN-B1 CPDLC: vers:all/*
Product Status:
known_affected
Relevant CWE: CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
Metrics
| CVSS Version | Base Score | Base Severity | Vector String |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 5.3 | MEDIUM | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
| 4.0 | 6 | MEDIUM | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
CVE-2025-71412
Injection of false emergency or status messages over CPDLC may lead to misallocation of resources, operational confusion, and improper response actions by flight crews, traffic controllers, and ground operations. This type of attack can be carried out remotely over radio frequency.
Affected Products
CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities
Standard:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications
Product Version:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications ATN-B1 CPDLC: vers:all/*
Product Status:
known_affected
Relevant CWE: CWE-754 Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions
Metrics
| CVSS Version | Base Score | Base Severity | Vector String |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 7.1 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:L |
| 4.0 | 7.1 | HIGH | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:H/SA:L |
CVE-2025-71413
Malformed or out-of-sequence frames at the Aviation Very High Frequency Link Control X.25 layers cause repeated resets which may result in increased workload and reduced situational awareness. This type of attack can be carried out remotely over radio frequency.
Affected Products
CPDLC over ATN-B1 Vulnerabilities
Standard:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications
Product Version:
Advisory Circular 90-117 Data Link Communications ATN-B1 CPDLC: vers:all/*
Product Status:
known_affected
Relevant CWE: CWE-754 Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions
Metrics
| CVSS Version | Base Score | Base Severity | Vector String |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 5.3 | MEDIUM | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
| 4.0 | 6 | MEDIUM | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
Acknowledgments
- Martin Strohmeier of Armasuisse reported these vulnerabilities to CISA
Legal Notice and Terms of Use
This product is provided subject to this Notification (https://www.cisa.gov/notification) and this Privacy & Use policy (https://www.cisa.gov/privacy-policy).
Revision History
- Initial Release Date: 2026-08-07
| Date | Revision | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-07 | 1 | Initial Publication |
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