Engadget reports that Hackers of NY founder Dani Grant has discovered a security flaw that allows Delta passengers to access the boarding passes of other passengers, even if they’re on another airline.
Grant realized that she could share a link allowing anyone to download her boarding pass, and then change one digit in the URL and be presented with a completely different boarding pass belonging to someone else.
While this is a security flaw that needs to be addressed quickly, it’s not like it will allow you to fly to sunny Hawaii for the holiday for the price of a ticket to Pittsburgh. If you don’t have a legitimate boarding pass in your name, there’s no way you’re making it through security without a full-cavity body search. Although, a stranger could check you into your flight, and then change your seat selection. (No! Not the row in front of the exit! – Ed.)
“Travel document checking is just one layer of TSA’s defense for aviation security,” said TSA’s press secretary Ross Feinstein in a statement. “Officers are trained to detect and potentially deter individuals who may attempt to board an aircraft with fraudulent documents.”
Delta has yet to comment on the situation.
