Tesla's infotainment system jailbroken for free upgrades

05 August 2023

In the world of technology, there's always someone looking to push the boundaries, and Tesla's infotainment system is the latest playground for tech enthusiasts. A group of researchers from Technische Universität Berlin, along with an independent researcher, have found a way to hack into the hardware underpinning Tesla's infotainment system. The result? Free access to what would normally be paid upgrades, such as heated rear seats. But don't get too excited just yet - it takes a lot to hack Tesla.

The researchers, led by Christian Werling, have essentially found a way to "jailbreak" the car. This term, often associated with unlocking restricted features on smartphones, now applies to Tesla's sleek electric vehicles. The method they used is called voltage glitching, a technique that involves fiddling with the supply voltage of the AMD processor running the infotainment system. In layman's terms, they tricked the CPU into having a "hiccup," allowing them to manipulate the code.

Now, if you're thinking of trying this at home, hold your horses. Werling emphasizes that the attack requires physical access to the car. So, unless you're a tech-savvy car owner with a penchant for tinkering, this jailbreak is likely out of reach. And let's not forget the ethical implications of hacking into a system to avoid paying for upgrades. Werling's comment about not wanting to pay $300 for rear heated seats might be relatable, but it doesn't necessarily make hacking right.

Interestingly, the researchers were also able to extract personal information from the car, such as contacts, call logs, and Wi-Fi passwords. While this data extraction could be attractive to someone with malicious intent, it's worth reminding that physical access to the car is still required. So, your Tesla's secrets are safe, as long as you keep your keys close.

The researchers plan to present their findings at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas next week. As for Tesla's response? Crickets. They have yet to comment on the situation, and according to the researchers, mitigating this hardware-based attack would require replacing the hardware altogether.

Jailbreaking is a term that originated in the world of smartphones, where it refers to the process of removing software restrictions imposed by the manufacturer. Voltage glitching, the technique used by researchers in this hack, is a complex method that requires precise timing and expertise in electronics.

While the idea of jailbreaking a Tesla for free upgrades might sound thrilling, it's a complex endeavor. But it's a reminder that even the most advanced technology isn't immune to the creativity and curiosity of those looking to explore its limits.

Via