Misconfigured instances of TeslaMate, a third-party data logging application for Tesla cars, have raised significant security concerns. IoT security intelligence firm Redinent has reported that these misconfigurations can expose sensitive data about Tesla car owners and their vehicles to potential malicious attacks.
TeslaMate relies on the Tesla API to retrieve various types of information about the cars, providing users with valuable data. However, when users fail to configure the application correctly, it becomes a security risk, as attackers can exploit these misconfigurations to gain unauthorized access.
Redinent’s investigation revealed that attackers can find substantial information about misconfigured TeslaMate instances online by searching for images with ‘teslamate configure’ tags.
Additionally, specialized search engines and specific queries can help identify these instances, potentially allowing attackers to access data without authentication. Redinent discovered more than 1,400 misconfigured instances that grant unauthorized access using Censys’ search service. This access could enable attackers to obtain a car’s live location, check its status, and even control certain functions, posing serious security and privacy risks to Tesla car owners.
The root of the problem lies in users’ failure to properly configure this third-party software, leaving their Tesla car data vulnerable to unauthorized access. Redinent has pointed out that attackers could go further by setting virtual boundaries around the car, receiving alerts that could compromise an owner’s daily routine and potentially lead to malicious activities like planned robberies.
Although the vulnerability has been reported to TeslaMate, it’s crucial for users to take responsibility for configuring their IoT devices securely to protect their data and privacy.
