## 3 Drone Vulnerabilities and Attack Vectors  
The emerging risks associated with drone technology pose significant threats to data security, infrastructure integrity, and public safety [25]. Attackers may exploit zero-day vulnerabilities and security loopholes to infiltrate drone communication networks [26; 27]. Drone forensics has emerged as a critical field that aims to determine attackers' motives through meticulous investigations [28]. This systematic process involves the collection, preservation, and analysis of digital, software, and hardware evidence from drones [29]. Furthermore, drone forensics can guide the development of new technologies or policies that mitigate the effects of similar future attacks and enhance overall security levels [30].  
This section explores various drone security attacks to provide structured guidance for the forensic investigation of drones. Vulnerabilities in communication media and frequency-based weaknesses compound these risks. Even advanced drones that are equipped with cameras and GPS capabilities are not immune to such threats. A taxonomic classification of drone attacks detailing their impacts, execution tools, and mechanisms is presented in Table 2.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{113.8 pt} p{113.8 pt} p{113.8 pt}} \hline \hline
**Artifact Name** & **Source** & **Description** \\ \hline Flight Logs & L & Records of flight data including times, altitudes, and GPS coordinates. \\ \hline System Firmware & F & The embedded software that controls drone operations. \\ \hline GPS Data & E, L & Data capturing the drone’s geographical position during flights. \\ \hline Controller Inputs & G & Records of commands input by the operator during flight. \\ \hline Video Files & M & Recorded footage from drone flights stored on memory cards. \\ \hline Photo Files & M, E & Images captured during flight, often containing Exif metadata such as timestamps and camera settings. \\ \hline Battery Information & L & Data regarding battery status and history during flights. \\ \hline Communication Logs & L, G & Logs detailing the communication between the drone and its ground controller. \\ \hline Error Reports & F, L & System-generated reports detailing malfunctions or errors during operation. \\ \hline Maintenance Records & F, L & Logs related to drone servicing, updates, and repairs. \\ \hline Wi-Fi Data & L & Information about Wi-Fi networks used for control and data transmission. \\ \hline Serial Number & F & Unique identifier of the drone, often embedded in system files or visible on the drone body. \\ \hline Telemetry Data & L & Real-time data on various flight parameters such as speed, altitude, and orientation. \\ \hline Crash Reports & L & Detailed reports generated when a drone experiences a crash or significant malfunction. \\ \hline Configuration Files & F & Files that determine the settings and options of the drone’s operating system. \\ \hline Propeller Data & O & Observations and data regarding the condition and performance of the drone’s propellers. \\ \hline Firmware Update Logs & F & Logs documenting the history and details of firmware updates applied to the drone. \\ \hline Environmental Data & L & Data collected during flight related to environmental conditions such as temperature and wind speed. \\ \hline Security Protocols & F & Information regarding the encryption and security measures used to protect drone communications and data storage. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: Drone forensic artifacts: E is for Exif data, F is for system files, G is for ground controller, L is for logs, M is for memory card, and O is for observation.