Serious security flaws in two of Tesla's most popular vehicles

Tesla's Cybertruck

Shocking discovery: Tesla's Model 3 and Cybertruck are vulnerable to hacking

Security researchers have discovered serious security flaws in two of Tesla's most popular vehicles, the Model 3 and Cybertruck, making them highly susceptible to hacking. According to the researchers, these flaws could turn the Model 3 and Cybertruck into remotely controlled "machines on wheels."

These findings highlight emerging concerns about the increasing complexity of connected cars and how deeply embedded software systems can pose risks most drivers are unaware of, according to a report by the technology news site Digital Trends.

A research team from Northeastern University demonstrated that they can manipulate core systems within Tesla's operating environment by exploiting vulnerabilities in the car's internal network architecture. Instead of remotely hacking the car, the researchers focused on what happens once an attacker gains physical access—a scenario they consider far more realistic than the remote car hacks depicted in Hollywood movies.

Their study showed that connecting a compromised device to Tesla's internal network can grant access to subsystems responsible for power steering, braking, acceleration logic, and even driver assistance features. 

By reverse-engineering the protocols and communication pathways within the vehicles, the researchers created prototypes of attacks capable of altering vehicle behavior in ways the driver wouldn't immediately notice.

Modern cars rely heavily on a network of microcontrollers, sensors, and software layers, comprising more than 100 components. In some cases, this can involve a million lines of code. This complexity significantly increases the potential for attack.

The new research confirms that current electric and smart cars function as mobile computers, and that traditional automotive safety assumptions do not fully account for system-related software vulnerabilities.