Automated Frequency Coordination systems by default trust client-side data, which could lead to location spoofing and other attacks that disrupt traffic.
July 14, 2026
The technology keeping 6 GHz Wi-Fi from interfering with critical infrastructure has a number of security issues — and researchers are starting to sound the alarm.
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and Idaho National Laboratory will discuss their findings in a session called "Blind Trust in the 6 GHz Band: Weaponizing Wi-Fi Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC)" at Black Hat USA 2026. Two pieces of technology are at the center of this research: the cutting edge 6 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum and AFC, which regulates the 6 GHz band and keeps its powerful signal from interfering with radio towers, cellular backhaul, and spectrum-adjacent public safety networks.
The researchers behind the presentation, who've also published two related white papers this year, believe these AFC systems have significant security weaknesses that could potentially interfere with critical signals.
