Software Engineering Institute

According to a WIRED news article, an unknown vulnerability in FCA UConnect software allows some functions of recent models of Jeep Cherokee to be controlled by a remote attacker. Other FCA makes (including Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram) that use UConnect may also be vulnerable.

FCA with the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a safety recall (NHTSA campaign 15V461000, "Radio Software Security Vulnerabilities") for all possibly affected makes and models:

• 2013-2015 Ram 1500 Pickup
• 2013-2015 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis
• 2013-2015 Ram 2500 Pickup
• 2013-2015 Ram 3500 Pickup
• 2013-2015 Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis
• 2013-2015 Dodge Viper
• 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee
• 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2014-2015 Dodge Durango
• 2015 Chrysler 200s
• 2015 Chrysler 300s
• 2015 Dodge Challenger
• 2015 Dodge Charger

A remote attacker could control some physical functions of a vulnerable vehicle, potentially causing significant physical damage and serious or fatal injury.

The WIRED article states that the researchers were able to remotely disable the transmission, and that the car had to be stopped and restarted to restore normal operation. WIRED also reports:

Miller and Valasek’s full arsenal includes functions that at lower speeds fully kill the engine, abruptly engage the brakes, or disable them altogether. The researchers say they’re working on perfecting their steering control𠅏or now they can only hijack the wheel when the Jeep is in reverse. Their hack enables surveillance too: They can track a targeted Jeep’s GPS coordinates, measure its speed, and even drop pins on a map to trace its route.

Furthermore, an attacker could remotely control "...the air-conditioning, radio, and windshield wipers."

An FCA blog post states that the researchers could "...remotely controlled some functions..." but that "To FCA’s knowledge, there has not been a single real world incident of an unlawful or unauthorized remote hack into any FCA vehicle."

Apply an update

FCA has provided an update to address this vulnerabilities, and has initiated a safety recall (NHTSA campaign 15V461000). Owners of affected models are advised to update their vehicle's UConnect software immediately. Owners can perform the update themselves or take their vehicle to a dealer to perform the update free of charge. For more information on obtaining the update or finding out if your vehicle is affected, please see FCA's news release and the recall notice at safercar.gov.

Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 08-072-15 includes a fix for "Improved Radio security protection to reduce the potential risk of unauthorized and unlawful access to vehicle systems." The UConnect update, among other things, changes the configuration to close the listening services.

For 2013-2014 model years, update to UConnect radio version 15.26.1 or higher. For 2015 model years, update to UConnect radio version 15.17.5 or higher.

Restrict network access

Additionally, FCA provided the following statement:

FCA US has applied network-level security measures to prevent the type of remote manipulation demonstrated in a recent media report. These measures – which required no customer or dealer actions – block remote access to certain vehicle systems and were fully tested and implemented within the cellular network on July 23, 2015.

Threat modeling and secure architecture

Complex software systems contain latent vulnerabilities. Updating software to resolve vulnerabilities as they are discovered is a necessary but insufficient defensive activity. Complex, safety-critical software systems require resilient, secure design considerations.

Vehicle manufacturers should use threat models that consider skilled and potentially well-funded attackers and remote network communications. Manufacturers should also design vehicle networks to isolate or carefully limit access to safety critical systems from telematics, infotainment, diagnostic and remote communications systems.

The Intel McAfee team has provided a best practices document for securing automobiles and established an Automotive Security Review Board. For more information, see Intel's press release.