CVE-2018-9318 in Vehicle
Summary
by MITRE
The Telematics Control Unit (aka Telematic Communication Box or TCB), when present on BMW vehicles produced in 2012 through 2018, allows a remote attack via a cellular network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9318 affects BMW vehicles manufactured between 2012 and 2018 that incorporate a Telematics Control Unit or Telematic Communication Box. This component serves as a critical communication interface between the vehicle and external networks, enabling features such as remote diagnostics, emergency assistance, and over-the-air software updates. The flaw resides in the security implementation of this telematics system, which fails to properly authenticate incoming communications from the cellular network. This vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that allows remote exploitation without physical access to the vehicle, representing a fundamental breach in automotive cybersecurity. The affected vehicles essentially expose their internal communication networks to unauthenticated remote attackers who can potentially gain control over vehicle functions through the cellular connection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient cryptographic protection and authentication mechanisms within the TCU's cellular communication protocol stack. The system lacks proper mutual authentication between the vehicle's telematics unit and external cellular network endpoints, allowing attackers to establish unauthorized communication sessions. This weakness aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, as the vulnerability exposes vehicle communication channels to unauthorized access. The flaw enables attackers to potentially intercept, modify, or inject malicious data into the vehicle's communication streams, creating opportunities for various attack vectors including remote code execution, data exfiltration, and vehicle control manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9318 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential safety risks and vehicle control compromise. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to remotely access vehicle functions such as door locks, engine control, or emergency response systems, potentially leading to vehicle theft or compromised safety systems. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can target vehicles from anywhere in the world, making traditional physical security measures ineffective. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) for remote code execution, T1071 (Application Layer Protocol) for cellular communication manipulation, and T1566 (Phishing) for initial access vectors that might leverage the telematics system. The exposure of vehicle communication protocols also creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats and long-term surveillance capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from both manufacturers and vehicle owners. BMW should implement firmware updates that strengthen authentication mechanisms and cryptographic protections within the TCU system, including implementing proper mutual authentication protocols and secure key management. Vehicle owners must ensure their telematics systems are updated through official channels and consider disabling unnecessary telematics features when not actively needed. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous cellular traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of automotive cybersecurity frameworks such as ISO/SAE 21434 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasize the need for secure design principles throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Organizations should also implement continuous monitoring of vehicle communication systems and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to automotive cybersecurity threats. Additionally, regulatory compliance frameworks like the EU's General Data Protection Regulation and automotive safety standards should be considered to ensure proper handling of vehicle data and communication security measures.