Submitted 8 hours ago by floofloof@lemmy.ca to technology@lemmy.world
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/10/software-update-bricks-some-jeep-4xe-hybrids-over-the-weekend/
cross-posted from: lemmy.bestiver.se/post/673162
The power train (and other vital components) of a car should be air-gapped from the internet. It’s crazy car manufacturers are even able to brick a car like this.
Is your car going to get security updates 20 years from now? No. The power train should be air-gapped from the internet.
Apparently it was supposed to be. They have the core functions in a “can’t OTA” container, with less important functions like AV/etc in a “can OTA” model.
This update was pushed to the “can update” side and fucked the “can’t update” side, which is its own can of worms. Another can? Jeep pushed a silent, emergency update “to all Jeeps even those who have automatic updates disabled.”
So the issue is not that they have no security model, it’s that it clearly doesn’t work and they can and will push secret updates even when you decline all updates.
reddit.com/…/turn_offdisconnect_remote_access_to_…
I just got a text from my dealership saying my oil light was on. Super pissed off about it… When I got the Jeep 2 years ago I asked Jeep to turn off ALL remote access/phone home capabilities to the vehicle. I was on the phone for a couple hours with them until I finally got someone who said they did it.
Weather alerts, contextual ads on my console, distant recording of my travels, whatever, I wanted everything off.
It has a 4G cellular module in the head unit, which connects to a separate 4G antenna via a port on the back of the head unit. Unplug the antenna from the head unit and it cannot communicate to anything. Obviously you have to remove a bunch of trim and the unit.
Companies dont even give a shit about cybersecurity with their internal systems why would they dare put a cent into thinking about security for systems their customers use
This just keeps happening until we decide our governments work for us and not for corporations.
In most push to start modern cars, it isnt really one central computer like how cars used to be. You still have an ECU, like the computer that is relevant to the drivetrain. But then you also have one or two others separate units that have to have authority over the ECU by nature because of other things they do. Like if the unit that communicates with your key to say “its okay to allow you to use the car” doesnt have authority over operating your powertrain, then it would be much easier to steal your car (i.e. kia and hyundai from a certain period of time). In many cars it also monitors engine performance and can make live adjustments to the operation of the engine, prevent some catastrophic failures, etc.
So having some smarter computer aspect of your car rule your powertrain is a pretty good security and operational thing, even if it leads to the potential for inconveniences. Like if your electric key dies you could lose the ability to start your car, which would never happen with a physical key
That said, I think all updates for cars should be done at dealerships, and not be an over the internet type of thing
Yeah, but how else would you be able to pay for power upgrades? I’m keeping my old cars for as long as possible.
Don’t buy American. Don’t buy Stellantis vehicles no matter what!
helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
Charge whoever pushed this “telemetric update” for reckless endangerment or something.
They’re lucky there were no accidents related to this (as far as we know).
tabular@lemmy.world 24 minutes ago
Calling it, next update includes forced arbitration clause for accidental bricking.