Car Hackers Mess With Speedometers, Odometers, Alarms and Locks

mask.of.sanity writes "Researchers have demonstrated how controller area networks in cars can make vehicles appear to drive slower than their actual speed, manipulate brakes, wind back odometers and set off all kinds of alarms and lights from random fuzzing (video). The network weaknesses stem from a lack of authentication which they say is absent to improve performance. The researchers have also built a $25 open-source fuzzing tool to help others enter the field."

Surprising to me

[Okian Warrior]

I used to write software for aircraft instruments.

What's surprising to me is that single-function devices can have their functions changed. The speedometer has one function: to report the vehicle's speed. What requirement is satisfied by allowing this to change? Why would you even need to upgrade it?

I would have thought that certain features of the car would be fixed program/unchangeable, at the very least to simplify the design.

Re:Hmmm...

[They'reComingToTakeM]

The UK's annual MOT test (compulsory for all vehicles over 3 years old) states that a speedometer is permitted to read up to +10%/-0% of actual speed. ie. 66mph when you're actually doing 60, but not 60 when you're doing 61.

Re:Hmmm...

[X0563511]

Indeed. My speedometer has matched every roadside radar display I've encountered.