Unsplash Their work demonstrated that plugging a compromised device into Tesla’s internal network could unlock access to subsystems responsible for power steering, braking behavior, acceleration logic, and even driver-assistance features. By reverse-engineering protocols and communication pathways inside the vehicles, researchers created proof-of-concept attacks capable of altering vehicle behavior in ways the driver would not immediately detect. Why the findings matter for connected vehicles Modern vehicles rely heavily on a network of microcontrollers, sensors, and software layers – more than 100 million lines of code in some cases. This complexity increases the potential attack surface dramatically. The research underscores that today’s EVs and smart cars function much like rolling computers, and that traditional automotive safety assumptions don’t fully account for systemic software vulnerabilities. Recommended Videos Critically, the team notes that an attacker wouldn’t need to be a nation-state actor or elite hacker. With basic technical skills and short-term physical access – for example during valet parking, routine servicing, or rental car use – a malicious device could be introduced to modify internal communications on the vehicle’s CAN bus. These are not remote takeover attacks, but they show that internal system protections are not robust enough to prevent malicious code execution once an intruder reaches the car’s physical ports. Implications for drivers and the industry For everyday drivers, the research brings attention to the importance of treating modern cars as digital devices with their own cybersecurity risks. Features like keyless entry, over-the-air updates, and extensive onboard sensors dramatically improve convenience – but they also create more potential failure points. Cybertruck