Security News > 2020 > November > Researchers Show Tesla Model X Can Be Stolen in Minutes
Researchers from the Computer Security and Industrial Cryptography group at the KU Leuven university in Belgium have demonstrated that a Tesla Model X can be stolen in minutes by exploiting vulnerabilities in the car's keyless entry system.
The attack method identified by the COSIC researchers targets the Tesla Model X key fob, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy to communicate with the vehicle.
The researchers used a modified Model X electronic control unit to force the victim's key fob to advertise itself as a connectable Bluetooth device.
This gave the researchers permanent access to the Model X and allowed them to drive off.
The researchers said the attack only took a few minutes to conduct and it required roughly $200 worth of equipment, including the ECU, a Raspberry Pi, a CAN shield, a battery, and a key fob.