Potential cyber security hazard for connected cars

Manufacturers have received a warning that design vulnerabilities could enable hackers to control vehicles.

Cyber solutions provider IOActive recently published a white paper, which revealed that 50% of cyber flaws discovered in manufacturer designs are able to be exploited.

It also showed that 71% of flaws could easily be exploited or are close to being exploited as their knowledge is freely available.

The ‘Commonalities in Vehicle Vulnerabilities’ paper drew from real world cyber security assessments, along with three years of data on vulnerabilities.

Technologies considered possible targets for cyber criminals include companion apps, ZigbeeRadio, Infotainment Media, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular radio.

IOActive chief security consultant Corey Thuen, who authored the paper, said:

“The days when a rogue street urchin wielding a coat hanger was the main threat to vehicle security are long gone.

“As the report shows, we have uncovered a number of ‘hair-on-fire’ vulnerabilities that could easily be exploited at any moment.”

Thuen went on to say that most flaws are unable to be resolved in the future and were reliant on cyber security and software development practices, and sound engineering, to protect buyers.

Cyber security dangers are prevalent in today’s technology, whether in connected cars or otherwise. SMEs up and down the UK face potential threats on a daily basis, and many have been a victim of a breach at one point or another. If wouldn’t hurt them to be more proactive and create more cyber security jobs in order to combat these threats and keep their data safe.