CVE-2020-29440 : What You Need to Know

Tesla Model X vehicles before 2020-11-23 are vulnerable to a key fob spoofing attack due to a lack of certificate validation during pairing with the body control module (BCM).

Understanding CVE-2020-29440

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Tesla Model X vehicles that could allow an attacker to start and drive the vehicle using a spoofed key fob.

What is CVE-2020-29440?

This vulnerability arises from the failure of Tesla Model X vehicles to perform certificate validation when pairing a new key fob with the body control module (BCM). This oversight enables an attacker, located inside the vehicle or with access to send data over the CAN bus, to manipulate the key fob authentication process.

The Impact of CVE-2020-29440

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized individuals gaining control of the vehicle, posing a significant security risk to Tesla Model X owners.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-29440

Tesla Model X vehicles are affected by the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass key fob authentication by exploiting the lack of certificate validation during the pairing process with the BCM.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Tesla Model X
Versions: Before 2020-11-23

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker inside the vehicle or with access to the CAN bus can exploit the lack of certificate validation to spoof a key fob and gain control of the vehicle.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-29440, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Tesla Model X vehicles to the latest software version that includes a fix for the certificate validation issue.
Be cautious of potential attackers gaining physical access to the vehicle or the CAN bus.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly check for software updates and security patches from Tesla to ensure the vehicle's security features are up to date.
Implement additional layers of security, such as physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle.

Patching and Updates

Apply all recommended security updates and patches provided by Tesla to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance the security of Tesla Model X vehicles.