Security researchers Ian Carroll and Sam Curry have uncovered a severe SQL injection vulnerability in FlyCASS, a third-party web-based service utilized for managing airport security systems such as the Known Crewmember (KCM) program and the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS). The KCM initiative, overseen by the TSA, allows pilots and flight attendants to bypass standard security screenings, while CASS enables pilots to access jumpseats in aircraft cockpits. The flaw, found in FlyCASS’s login system, could have allowed unauthorized individuals to manipulate employee data and potentially gain unchecked access to secure areas of commercial airliners.
The researchers demonstrated how the SQL injection could be exploited to log in as an administrator for Air Transport International, an airline participating in the KCM and CASS systems. By adding a fictitious employee to the system, they effectively demonstrated that it was possible to bypass TSA security screenings and access aircraft cockpits. This vulnerability, if left unaddressed, posed a significant risk to aviation security, allowing unauthorized individuals to bypass crucial screening processes.
Following the discovery, the researchers notified the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on April 23, 2024. The DHS confirmed the vulnerability’s seriousness and disconnected FlyCASS from the KCM/CASS system on May 7, 2024, as a precautionary measure. Although the flaw was fixed shortly thereafter, efforts to further coordinate the vulnerability’s disclosure were met with resistance, including a lack of response from the TSA regarding additional security implications. The TSA later removed conflicting information from its website but maintained that their procedures ensured the security of crewmember identities.
Further investigation revealed that FlyCASS had also suffered a ransomware attack earlier in February 2024, with encrypted files and a ransom note discovered during a Joe Sandbox analysis. The TSA has assured that their procedures remain effective and that no government data or systems were compromised. However, the incident highlights the pressing need for robust security measures and vigilant oversight in critical systems managing aviation security.
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