Hackers hacked into a Nissan Leaf - eavesdropping on drivers and taking complete control of the car
A group of white hackers from Budapest, going by the name PCAutomotive, have demonstrated a vulnerability in the security protocols of the 2020 Nissan Leaf electric car. In fact, they turned the hatchback into a full-size radio-controlled car, violating almost every conceivable privacy norm. All of this they recorded on video.
Here's What We Know
Using a set of parts from eBay and their own "test bed", the hackers were able to:
- track the car's location in real time,
- eavesdrop on conversations inside the car and read messages,
- play audio through the speakers,
- remotely turn the steering wheel while driving.
How did they do it?
The hack was successful thanks to vulnerabilities in the DNS C2 system and Bluetooth protocol. It all started with a simple control unit mock-up built from eBay parts. From there, the researchers gained access to the car's entire internal network.
The most frustrating part is not the high-tech complexity of the attack, but its frightening simplicity. According to the PCAutomotive participants, anyone with basic knowledge in the field and access to inexpensive components could theoretically repeat the experiment.
A detailed 118-page technical report on the attack was presented at the Black Hat Asia 2025 conference. The researchers said they reported the vulnerabilities to Nissan. The company's response is not yet known.
Source: Electrek
