Security consultant, Sultan Qasim Khan, has discovered a way to utilize vehicle protocols on Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model 3 and Y cars to unlock and start the vehicle. Kahn is also able to roll down windows and adjust the radio using the technique.
The hack, Khan said, isn’t specific to Tesla, but utilizes the vehicles keyless entry system, which relies on what’s known as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. BLE protocol was designed to conveniently link devices together over the internet, though it’s also emerged as method that hackers exploit to unlock smart technologies including house locks, cars, phones and laptops, Khan said.
NCC Group said it was able to conduct the attack on several other carmakers and technology companies’ devices.
There’s no evidence that thieves have used the hack to improperly access Tesla vehicles. Khan said he had disclosed the potential for attack to Tesla and that company officials didn’t deem the issue a significant risk.
By Michael Elkins