Tesla Motors has a new software update designed to patch the software bugs that allowed Chinese white-hat hackers to remotely access the control system of a Tesla Model S.
Hackers at Keen Security Lab were able to remotely control a moving Tesla Model S by accessing its control system and disrupting various actions such as turn signals, displays, seat positions and the door lock system.
"With several months of in-depth research on Tesla Cars, we have discovered multiple security vulnerabilities and successfully implemented remote, aka none physical contact, control on Tesla Model S in both Parking and Driving Mode," Keen Security Lab announced in a blog post. "It is worth to note that we used an unmodified car with latest firmware to demonstrate the attack."
Tesla has promptly reacted and has already released an update to fix the bugs, noting that Tesla car owners were not at any major risk.
"Our realistic estimate is that the risk to our customers was very low," a Tesla spokesperson told Bloomberg on Tuesday. "But this did not stop us from responding quickly."
The update came one day after the Chinese cybersecurity researchers published the blog post, as well as a worrisome video demonstrating the Tesla Model S hack and remote control. You can find the video embedded at the end of the article.
While other automakers often require customers to come in for system updates, Tesla can roll out its software updates and security fixes over the air (OTA), pushing the upgraded software directly onto the computer systems of its cars. This way, customers don't have to take any action to receive the latest update.
According to Tesla, the software update to patch the bugs rolled out within 10 days of getting the report. If the risk stemming from those vulnerabilities was "very low" at that point, after the update, it should be close to zero.
While the prompt response is admirable, it seems Tesla can't get any peace as of late. The company went under fire over fatal crashes involving its Tesla Autopilot technology, breaking up with Mobileye and facing other hurdles and criticism related to Autopilot.
The recent wireless hack involving a Tesla Model S definitely doesn't help the company's already-chipped image when it comes to safety and security, but it's also important to take into account that it reacted quickly, promptly offering a software update to fix the latest issues.
To get a better idea of what Tesla users might have dodged, check out the Tesla Model S hack video below.
