Delta Probes Wi-Fi Deauth Attack on Flight Carrying DEF CON Attendees
Delta Air Lines Investigates Wi-Fi Incident 🚨
Delta Air Lines is currently investigating an unauthorized Wi-Fi network that appeared aboard a flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta, which was carrying passengers who had attended the DEF CON hacker convention. The incident occurred on Flight 591 and did not affect the safety of the passengers or the aircraft’s operating systems.
A company spokesperson stated, “We will partner with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators to ensure the incident is thoroughly investigated.”
Incident Details 📅
The unauthorized Wi-Fi network, which was not provided, operated, or supplied by Delta, was present onboard the aircraft for a short time during the flight. After learning about the unauthorized wireless network, the cabin crew deactivated the Wi-Fi functionality in the aircraft for nearly 30 minutes. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 757 with six crew members and 199 passengers, and no emergency was declared with air traffic control.
Attack Description 🔍
According to online reports, several passengers returning from the DEF CON 34 hacking conference allegedly carried out a Wi-Fi deauthentication attack mid-flight, disconnecting other passengers from the aircraft’s wireless in-flight network. In a deauthentication attack, clients connected to a Wi-Fi network receive forged packets pretending to be from the legitimate access point (AP), instructing them to disconnect. This can potentially cause a denial-of-service condition.
Crew Communication 📡
Turbine Traveller, an aircraft technician, reported that messages sent by the crew of Delta Air Lines Flight 591 indicated that some passengers were able to jam the aircraft’s Wi-Fi and broadcast a rogue network named “Delta WiFi Fast.” Crew messages included: “WE HAVE A BUNCH OF PAX [passenger] THAT WERE AT A CYBER CONFERENCE IN LAS… THEY WERE ABLE TO JAM OUR WIFI AND BROADCAST THEIR SIGNAL.”
After the aircraft docked at the gate, federal authorities and airport police boarded the aircraft to question the suspects and seize their portable Wi-Fi hardware. The suspects allegedly had been attending the DEF CON 34 hacker conference in Las Vegas.
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