Synacktiv demonstrates Tesla Wall Connector bootloader bypass
Tags Infrastructure · Consumer
French security firm Synacktiv published research showing how to bypass the firmware downgrade ratchet on Tesla Wall Connectors through the charge port connector. The attack, detailed in a two-part series, allows an attacker with physical access to the charge port to extract and modify the device's firmware. The research highlights security weaknesses in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which is becoming critical as EV adoption accelerates globally.
Technical significance
As EV charging infrastructure scales globally, the security of charging devices becomes a grid-level concern. A firmware compromise on wall connectors could potentially be used to manipulate charging behavior, access home networks, or serve as a pivot point for broader attacks. This research underscores the need for security-by-design in IoT and energy infrastructure.