Not only did the video go viral, it also prompted Fiat Chrysler to recall 1.4 million cars vulnerable to wireless attacks.
Advertisement
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) plans to open up an investigation to determine if whether Fiat Chrysler’s solution proves effective.
The hack has raised questions about the vulnerability of today’s cars to software attacks.
Over 1.4 million FCA vehicles are affected by this software bug.
One of the recalls affects as many as 667,406 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured from 20 June 2012, to 26 January 2015, in which the side air bags are “overly sensitive” and may activate without cause.
According to documents, the wider recall came at the prompting of government safety regulators.
Further, the company said it was unaware of any injuries related to software exploitation, nor is it aware of any related complaints, warranty claims or accidents – independent of the media demonstration.
“To FCA’s knowledge, there has not been a single real world incident of an unlawful or unauthorized remote hack into any FCA vehicle”, the company said in the blog post signed by Gualberto Ranieri, the automaker’s senior vice president of communications.
The researchers used Fiat Chrysler’s telematics system to break into the Cherokee being driven on the highway and issue commands to the engine, steering and brakes.
“The recall aligns with an ongoing software distribution that insulates connected vehicles from remote manipulation”, a press release from the company says. They’ll just get a USB stick.
A number of models of cars produced from 2013 are among those listed in the voluntary recall, with Fiat Chrysler saying they are equipped with 8.4-inch touchscreens and “certain radios”.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Mark Rosekind, NHTSA chief and cyber security expert will be the front man probing the FCA’s recall. “It sets an important precedent for how NHTSA and the industry will respond to cybersecurity vulnerabilities”, the agency said in a statement.
Fiat Chrysler says it provides added security beyond the cellular network fixes.
Advertisement
If your vehicle is included in the recall, Chrysler will send you a USB device with a software patch to cure your auto security woes. If that happens, then the hacker could very well be charged under the criminal code of law.
