CVE-2025-71413 in CPDLC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2026
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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in aviation communication systems that operates at the X.25 protocol layer of VHF link control mechanisms. The issue stems from insufficient validation of frame sequences and malformed data structures within the communication protocol stack, specifically targeting the aviation-specific implementation of X.25 networking standards. When attackers inject corrupted or out-of-sequence frames into the radio frequency communication channel, the system's failure handling mechanisms trigger repeated reset cycles that disrupt normal operational continuity.
The technical exploitation occurs through remote manipulation of radio frequency signals, leveraging the inherent vulnerabilities in the protocol implementation where frame validation is either incomplete or improperly enforced. This attack vector operates at layer 3 of the OSI model, specifically targeting the network layer protocols that govern data transmission between aviation communication nodes. The vulnerability manifests as a denial-of-service condition where legitimate communication channels experience repeated disruptions due to the system's inability to properly handle malformed frames without resetting its operational state.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts mission-critical aviation communications by creating cascading failures in the network infrastructure that can lead to complete service degradation. The repeated reset cycles increase the computational overhead on communication systems while simultaneously reducing the available bandwidth for legitimate traffic. This results in decreased situational awareness for air traffic controllers and pilots who rely on stable communication links for safe navigation and coordination. The cumulative effect creates a substantial operational risk that can compromise flight safety and air traffic management efficiency.
The attack methodology aligns with common network denial-of-service patterns identified in the attack mitigation framework, specifically targeting protocol implementation weaknesses that fall under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-362 Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource. The remote nature of exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for aviation infrastructure that operates in open radio environments. Effective mitigations must include enhanced frame validation mechanisms at protocol level, implementation of rate limiting for reset operations, and deployment of intrusion detection systems specifically designed to identify anomalous frame sequences. Additionally, network segmentation strategies and redundant communication paths should be implemented to ensure operational resilience against such attacks while maintaining compliance with aviation safety standards and regulatory requirements.