Tesla Electric Car hacked twice for $US200,000 in Cyber Security

Tesla’s Two Hacks, $200,000, and a Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call for the Auto Industry

In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, ethical hackers often play the role of digital detectives, uncovering vulnerabilities in technology before bad actors do. Recently, a team of these ethical hackers managed to pull off a double feat, hacking a Tesla (Electric Car) Model S not once, but twice, at the Pwn2Own 2022 hacking competition, walking away with a cool $200,000 in prize money. While the competition is designed to expose weaknesses and encourage manufacturers to fix them, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the growing risks associated with connected cars.

The Hacks: Exploiting Vulnerabilities, Gaining Control

The Synacktiv security team, responsible for the successful hacks, exploited two separate vulnerabilities in the Tesla’s systems. The first involved targeting the car’s infotainment system through a series of bugs, eventually gaining access to its underlying operating system. This allowed them to manipulate the climate control, open the windows, and even honk the horn – a party trick with potentially serious consequences.

The second hack focused on the car’s cellular modem, exploiting a different set of vulnerabilities to gain remote access. This opened a wider door, potentially allowing attackers to track the car’s location, disable safety features, or even take control of certain driving functions. While the competition rules prevented such actions, the implications for real-world scenarios are chilling.

Beyond Tesla: A Broader Industry Concern

While Tesla electric car may have been the target in this instance, the concerns extend far beyond a single manufacturer. The rise of connected cars, equipped with ever-increasing software and internet connectivity, creates a vast attack surface for malicious actors. From manipulating in-car entertainment systems to gaining control of critical driving functions, the potential consequences of a successful cyberattack are significant, raising concerns about passenger safety, data privacy, and even national security.

This isn’t just theoretical. In 2021, hackers remotely compromised a Jeep Cherokee, manipulating its steering, brakes, and acceleration. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the incident highlighted the very real dangers lurking in the connected car landscape.

The Responsibility to Patch and Protect

The onus of responsibility lies not just with manufacturers, but also with the entire automotive ecosystem. Here are some key steps that need to be taken:

• Prioritizing Security by Design: From the initial design and development stages, cybersecurity needs to be a core consideration, not an afterthought. Secure coding practices, regular penetration testing, and robust authentication protocols are crucial.
• Software Updates and Patch Management: Regular software updates and timely patching of vulnerabilities are essential to address evolving threats. Manufacturers need to implement efficient update mechanisms and encourage users to install them promptly.
• Collaboration and Information Sharing: The industry needs to foster collaboration between manufacturers, security researchers, and government agencies to share information about vulnerabilities and best practices for mitigation.
• User Education and Awareness: Educating car owners about potential risks and best practices for protecting their vehicles, such as using strong passwords and avoiding suspicious Wi-Fi networks, is vital.

The Road Ahead: Navigating a Connected Future

The path towards truly secure connected cars is complex and ongoing. While the tesla electric car Pwn2Own competition exposes vulnerabilities, it also serves as a valuable testing ground for identifying and addressing weaknesses. By learning from these ethical hacks and taking proactive steps, the automotive industry can navigate the connected future with greater confidence, ensuring the safety and security of drivers and passengers on the road.

This blog post serves as a starting point for further discussion and exploration. Here are some additional prompts for reflection:

• What are the ethical considerations surrounding ethical hacking competitions?
• How can we balance innovation with the need for robust cybersecurity in the automotive industry?
• What role can consumers play in advocating for and ensuring secure connected cars?
• What are the potential long-term implications of connected car vulnerabilities for broader societal issues like data privacy and national security?

By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, we can work towards a future where connected cars are not just convenient and feature-rich, but also safe and secure for everyone.

Article Link: https://www.drive.com.au/