Security Risks Exposed after Berlin Researchers Uncover 'Elon Mode' in Teslas During Live Stream

January 5, 2024

By Kevin Armstrong

Glitch Revealed in Live Stream

In a recent live stream event, a group of cybersecurity researchers from Technische Universität Berlin, under their doctoral program, demonstrated a successful hack into Tesla's Autopilot system, revealing security vulnerabilities in the vehicles. This hack, which closely mirrors their previous exploit in 2023, not only granted them access to the car's internal hardware but also confirmed that "Elon mode" is still available in recent firmware updates.

All About the Hack

Utilizing equipment costing roughly $600, the researchers induced a brief but critical 2-second voltage drop of 560 millivolts on Tesla’s ARM64-based Autopilot circuit board. This strategic interference allowed them to gain root access, extract cryptographic keys, and access vital system components. They recovered previously deleted data, including a video with GPS coordinates. This same technique also unlocked the elusive "Elon mode,” we’ve heard about before.

“Elon mode," first discovered by @greentheonly in June 2023, enables Tesla vehicles to operate in full self-driving mode without driver input or monitoring. The TU Berlin team suggests that exploiting this mode could also allow users to enable some premium features free of charge and disabling certain safety features.

Feasibility and Limitations

Acknowledging that such a hack requires physical access to the circuit board, the researchers emphasize its impracticality outside a lab setting. However, the fact that it is achievable, even with intricate steps like soldering and careful handling, underscores a looming threat to Tesla's intellectual property.

The revelation of "Elon mode" and the possibility of enabling premium features without cost raises important ethical questions about vulnerability disclosure. The researchers' decision to publicly share their findings, especially without a response from Tesla, opens up a debate on the responsibilities and ethics of cybersecurity research.

Tesla sponsors the Pwn2Own event, offering cash prizes and cars to white-hat hackers who could uncover vehicle security vulnerabilities. The company uses the information to improve its systems, however it appears Tesla has not talked to the hackers that exposed this vulnerability.

Previous Security Glitches

This incident isn't Tesla's first encounter with security vulnerabilities. Earlier reports have cited instances like an insider leak compromising employee credentials and a Bluetooth relay attack on Tesla Model 3 & Y, exposing in-car purchasable features. These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in Tesla's cybersecurity framework.

While the practicality of replicating this hack outside a controlled environment, such as manipulating a parked Tesla, is low, the discovery has significant implications. It exposes gaps in the Autopilot system and raises some safety concerns.

Tesla, informed of these findings and yet to respond publicly, must address these vulnerabilities. The TU Berlin team aims to illuminate the safety architecture of Tesla and the potential gaps in its system, with their presentation highlighting the persistent risk of accidents despite advanced cameras and machine learning models.

Rivian to Add Google Cast and Native YouTube App, Will Tesla Respond?

May 17, 2024

By Not a Tesla App Staff

Coming to Rivian vehicles over a software update is Google Cast and YouTube support, which will allow for seamless, high-quality content streaming to Rivian vehicles.

This is a big step forward for Rivian’s software integration, especially compared to Tesla, which has yet to integrate native apps or release the long-rumored Tesla native app store.

Google Cast

Google Cast is Google’s version of Apple AirPlay which is supported in a variety of audio and video streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and more. By using a supported app, a user will be able to cast content directly to Rivian’s main 15.6” center screen.

Like Casting to a TV or Smart Device at home, this will allow you to play, pause, or skip back and forth using the vehicle’s touchscreen. Google Casting automatically pauses when the vehicle shifts into Drive.

Native YouTube App

Alongside Google Cast, Rivian is also bringing a native YouTube app to vehicles, enabling users to access YouTube’s video and music library from anywhere with a data connection. These features will be integrated right into Rivian’s vehicle operating system, which means they will receive regular software updates, and not be reliant on browser-based capabilities.

Similar to casting content, YouTube content will also automatically pause when the vehicle is shifted into Drive.

Tesla Equivalents

For the time being, there is no way to AirPlay or Cast video from a phone or tablet to Tesla’s front or rear screens. However, for some apps such as YouTube, you can send the video URL to the vehicle and have it open the YouTube app to that video.

To do this, open the YouTube app and find a video. Once you’d like to share it with the vehicle you can tap on share. You’ll then need to share it with the Tesla app which will then send it to your vehicle. On iPhones this requires you to scroll to the right and tap on More, which brings up the native sharing screen and has the Tesla app.

However, this is far more limited than including AirPlay or Google Cast support which will work for practically and video, even personal videos in your photo library.

Elon Musk mentioned back in 2016 that Tesla would add mirroring of phone apps to the center screen, but that has yet to materialize. More recently Musk mentioned a native X App coming to Tesla vehicles.

Tesla Theater

Tesla Theater allows users to stream videos from various platforms, including YouTube, but these are web-based applications, with no native applications available. This leaves some marked limitations on usability.

Tesla most recently announced in their 2024.14 update that the browser will be able to be expanded to full-screen mode when parked, enabling more access to streaming services on the web. Meanwhile, Google Cast and Apple Airplay continue to remain highly requested features.

Tesla FSD V12.4 - Features and Release Date

May 16, 2024

By Not a Tesla App Staff

The greatly anticipated FSD v12.4 is around the corner, with Elon Musk mentioning that it will be going to employees this weekend, with limited external testers next week.

Several significant improvements are coming with V12.4, which is being compared to the leap in performance that was previously seen between V12 and V11.

Improved Comfort and Reduced Interventions

There are quite a few improvements expected with V12.4, which Musk has said will be focused on user comfort by reducing hard accelerations and sudden braking. According to Musk, FSD v12.4 is also expected to have a 5-10x improvement in time between user interventions, which means that Tesla is rapidly approaching its goal for the Robotaxi announcement on August 8, 2024.

Steering Wheel Nag Removal

FSD V12.4 is expected to eliminate the steering wheel nag, as Musk confirmed its removal last week. The camera-based driver monitoring system will be taking over, providing a hands-free experience. These improvements will most likely benefit owners who have cabin cameras with infrared lights the most, while Tesla may continue to use steering wheel nag as a fallback mechanism.

Driverless Autopark

The second key feature that may be included in v12.4 will be Banish Autopark, previously known as Reverse Summon, allowing you to choose a parking spot, exit the vehicle and have the car park itself. Whether this feature makes it in v12.4 is yet to be seen, but Musk has mentioned that parking without a driver is coming soon.

Automatically Seek Parking Spot at Destination

Finally, your Tesla will now traverse a parking lot and automatically enter Autopark mode when arriving at a destination, according to a post from Musk.

Eligibility and Branch

Tesla recently added FSD v12.3.6 to the 2024.14 branch with updates 2024.14.5 and 2024.14.6. This makes it very likely that Tesla’s next FSD version will also be based on 2024.14, meaning that it will be available to any vehicle on 2024.14.x.

For users on update 2024.3.25, this means that they’ll receive all of the features included in updates 2024.8 and 2024.14, which should make it a massive update.

Release Date

Musk has mentioned that FSD V12.4 is going out to employee vehicles for internal testing this weekend, with external testing starting next week. The rollouts typically go slower than predicted but looks like we may see this begin shipping to customers by the end of the month.