Re:Hacker shows he can locate, unlock and remote start GM ve...
by jschwartzi on Wednesday August 05, 2015 @11:19AM
(#10010377)
The simplest method is to encode an authentication scheme using digital signatures for each device in the bus, and burn an approved transmitter list into each device such that specific messages have to be signed by a specific MCUs authentication key or it is ignored. Then simply don't add internet-connected hardware to the approved senders list for any high-risk messages. You can then compromise the car at will but none of the other CAN devices will process acceleration messages unless you happen to own an internet-connected accelerator.
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Re:Hacker shows he can locate, unlock and remote start GM ve...
by tptacek on Wednesday August 05, 2015 @11:25AM
(#10010426)
Digital signatures are (a) not simple --- the cost and complexity of implementing and verifying them might be as bad as that of switching to a different phy/mac and (b) particularly tricky to do in microcontroller parts.
Re:Hacker shows he can locate, unlock and remote start GM ve...
by mzs on Wednesday August 05, 2015 @11:52AM
(#10010645)
Some controllers already do some similar things, more like shared secrets though. It's common in the brakes. There is some sequence of commands that have to be sent first otherwise later commands will be ignored. The problem is that 1) you can wire in a scope and watch 2) just try every possibility or 3) use the diagnostic/test messages instead that accomplish the same without all of that.