Tesla Cars, Bluetooth Locks Are Vulnerable to Hackers, Can be Unlocked Remotely: Cybersecurity Firm

Tesla cars, any smart locks using BLE technology, including residential smart locks, could be unlocked in the same way, stated NCC Group.

By Reuters | Updated: 18 May 2022 11:03 IST

Tesla Cars, Bluetooth Locks Are Vulnerable to Hackers, Can be Unlocked Remotely: Cybersecurity Firm

Photo Credit: Reuters

The hacking was demonstrated on a 2021 Tesla Model Y

Highlights

NCC Group said such a vulnerability was not like a traditional bug
Researcher was able to unlock the car and drive it
BLE-based authentication was not designed for locking mechanism

Millions of digital locks worldwide, including on Tesla cars, can be remotely unlocked by hackers exploiting a vulnerability in Bluetooth technology, a cybersecurity firm said on Tuesday.

In a video shared with Reuters, NCC Group researcher Sultan Qasim Khan was able to open and then drive a Tesla using a small relay device attached to a laptop which bridged a large gap between the Tesla and the Tesla owner's phone.

"This proves that any product relying on a trusted BLE connection is vulnerable to attacks even from the other side of the world," the UK-based firm said in a statement, referring to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol — technology used in millions of cars and smart locks which automatically open when in close proximity to an authorised device.

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Although Khan demonstrated the hack on a 2021 Tesla Model Y, NCC Group said any smart locks using BLE technology, including residential smart locks, could be unlocked in the same way.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

NCC Group said such a vulnerability was not like a traditional bug which could be fixed with a software patch and added BLE-based authentication was not originally designed for use in locking mechanisms.

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"In effect, systems that people rely on to guard their cars, homes and private data are using Bluetooth proximity authentication mechanisms that can be easily broken with cheap off-the-shelf hardware," the firm said.

"This research illustrates the danger of using technologies for reasons other than their intended purpose, especially when security issues are involved".

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