CRITICAL SAFETY DISCOVERED, PREVENT CHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT FAST CHARGING STATIONS

Researchers from the University of Oxford and the Swiss Armaruise Federal Security Procurement Agency have discovered a hacking method that can be used to remotely cut off communication between electric vehicles and chargers. Laykon IT Operations Director Alev Akkoyunlu states that this attack method, called Brokenwire, threatens about 12 million electric vehicles currently in use because it enables wireless connection to the Combined Charging System (CCS), which is widely used in electric vehicles.

A new attack method has been discovered against the Combined Charging System (CCS), currently used in 12 million electric cars, which allows third parties to interrupt the charging process remotely. Researchers from the University of Oxford and the Swiss Armaruise Federal Security Procurement Agency called the hacking method Brokenwire, which can cut communication between electric vehicles and chargers from a distance of 47 meters. Laykon IT Operations Director Alev Akkoyunlu stated that the attack method is not only limited to cars, but also threatens electric ships, aircraft and heavy vehicles. The Combined Charging System (CCS), which has been hacked, stands out as one of the most widely used DC fast charging technologies today.

Electric vehicle charging can be cut off from an upper floor of the apartment

The newly discovered hacking attack, called Brokenwire, can be carried out from a distance of 47 meters from electric vehicles. Although this distance almost coincides with several floors of a building, it has been proven that it is possible to carry out the attack while driving past the charging station. Laykon IT Operations Director Alev Akkoyunlu also stated that the attack can only be used to interrupt the charging session and will not cause any damage to the targeted systems. Akkoyunlu, one of the most disturbing aspects of the attack; stressed that it can affect a large fleet as well as individual users. The attack renders the station useless until the transmitter is found and disabled. Therefore, after the attack has stopped, it must be manually reconnected to the charger.

“Can be realized with minimal technical knowledge”

It is a well-known fact that the function of the mobile phone makes many electric cars vulnerable today, but this research discovered that charging technologies are also a target. Researchers have revealed that attacks that disable the connection of electric vehicles to charging stations can be carried out with ready-made hardware and minimal technical knowledge. Moreover, this method of attack not only endangers electric cars, but also affects electric ships, airplanes and heavy vehicles. The method, which can also affect critical public vehicles such as electric ambulances, can interrupt the charging process and lead to life-threatening hazards. The detailed findings of the investigation have been shared with the manufacturers involved, but have not been made public until a counter-method has been developed to prevent abuse. Only DC fast chargers are included in the report. Therefore, those using AC charging are not affected by the vulnerability.

Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency