Tesla's Full Self-Driving package and free heated seats are being hidden behind a paywall, but there's an exploit to instantly unlock them.
According to the latest report, a group of hackers was able to come up with a way to access these software-locked features without paying anything.
Hackers Discover Exploit That Can Hack Tesla Software-Locked Features
Tesla is known to have advanced features for electric vehicles. It's one of the leading EV makers in the world at the moment thanks to Elon Musk and his team.
While some users pay Tesla before they get access to an exclusive subscription for paywall features, a group of hackers has found a way to bypass them.
According to Electrek's report, security researchers at TU Berlin say that the software-locked features are worth $15,000. This expensive subscription will allow you to use Tesla's Full Self Driving package, heated seats, and acceleration boost.
"Tesla has been known for their advanced and well-integrated car computers, from serving mundane entertainment purposes to fully autonomous driving capabilities. More recently, Tesla has started using this well-established platform to enable in-car purchases, not only for additional connectivity features but even for analog features like faster acceleration or rear heated seats. As a result, hacking the embedded car computer could allow users to unlock these features without paying," the hackers write in a Blackhat post.
By next week, the team will set up a schedule to reveal and explain their "Jailbreaking an Electric Vehicle in 2023 or What It Means to Hotwire Tesla's x86-Based Seat Heater" presentation.
Related Article: Tesla Software Hacker Obtains 'Elon Mode' Feature, Enabling Hands-Free Driving
How Hackers Unlocked Tesla Software Features
Before you proceed to hack the software lock, the hackers say that you will need physical access to a Tesla car. This can be done on the infotainment system where you will launch the "voltage fault injection attack."
According to the hackers, the Tesla jailbreak that they set up can't be patched by any means. They add that it is capable of letting "arbitrary software on the infotainment" run.
This way, they can manage to decode the vehicle-unique hardware-bound RSA key in the Tesla EV before authorizing the unit in the internal service network.
While the hackers claimed that they can unlock the Full Self-Driving package and the other features, reverse engineering might still be required to successfully pull it off.
Hackers Admire Tesla's Security Level
Despite the exploits aimed to unlock Tesla's software-locked components, the hackers said that the company is doing a good job when it comes to security.
The hackers said that the automaker's way of securing its systems is even better compared to the other car manufacturers.
Meanwhile, Tech Times wrote in another report that almost a dozen former Tesla employees were allegedly caught red-handed engaging in a trade secret breach.
Tesla said that Rivian did direct hiring for at least 70 workers who have previously worked for it.
While the Elon Musk-led firm continued with its allegations of Rivian's move, the latter denied the claims, stating they are hiring people in line with its corporate policies and principles.
