Navigating Threats: A Vulnerability Analysis of TCAS Interaction with Other Aircraft Systems

With the increasing integration of automated systems in modern aircraft, the security of avionics systems has become a critical concern. This research aims to conduct a vulnerability analysis of TCAS-related systems, protocols, attack surfaces, scenarios, and operational impacts to identify attack vectors and entry points to threat flight safety. Mapping out a comprehensive systematic architecture diagram enables the identification of interdependencies and data flow among TCAS, aircraft control, and communication systems. The architecture diagram assists in identifying entry points that could exploit vulnerabilities in one system to compromise the security or integrity of other interconnected systems. Understanding the TCAS-related system dependencies is also significant to develop attack scenarios intentionally exploited by malicious actors. This analysis evaluates the severity of impacts and likelihood of exploitation for each scenario to evaluate risk levels. This new approach of vulnerability analysis and risk assessment for TCAS-relevant systems would support developing countermeasures to enhance the security posture of avionics connectivity in future implementations. This analysis emphasizes that human response is likely to be targeted and it could potentially result in a catastrophic outcome in terms of flight safety. This approach will contribute to the development of proactive strategies for mitigating risks and enhancing flight safety against emerging threats in the modern dynamic airspace environment.