CVE-2023-26245 in Gen5W_L
Summary
by MITRE • 04/27/2023
An issue was discovered in the Hyundai Gen5W_L in-vehicle infotainment system AE_E_PE_EUR.S5W_L001.001.211214. The AppUpgrade binary file, which is used during the firmware installation process, can be modified by an attacker to bypass the version check in order to install any firmware version (e.g., newer, older, or customized). This indirectly allows an attacker to install custom firmware in the IVI system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-26245 represents a critical security flaw within Hyundai's Gen5W_L in-vehicle infotainment system, specifically affecting the AE_E_PE_EUR.S5W_L001.001.211214 firmware version. This issue resides in the AppUpgrade binary file that governs the firmware installation process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's integrity. The flaw fundamentally undermines the secure update mechanisms designed to maintain system authenticity and prevent unauthorized modifications, thereby compromising the vehicle's overall security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from a missing or insufficient version verification mechanism within the AppUpgrade binary. This weakness allows attackers to substitute the legitimate firmware update file with a modified version that bypasses the system's built-in version checking protocols. The attacker can then install any firmware version including newer releases, older versions, or entirely customized firmware builds that may contain malicious code or backdoors. This modification capability directly violates the principle of secure boot and firmware integrity validation that is fundamental to automotive cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues and specifically relates to the absence of proper validation mechanisms in security-critical components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple firmware modification capabilities, as it creates a persistent attack vector that could enable more sophisticated compromise scenarios. An attacker with access to this vulnerability could potentially install malicious firmware that modifies system behavior, intercepts communications, or creates persistent backdoors within the vehicle's infotainment system. This could lead to unauthorized access to vehicle functions, data exfiltration, or even control of critical vehicle systems that interface with the infotainment platform. The implications are particularly concerning given that in-vehicle infotainment systems often serve as entry points for broader vehicle network access, making this vulnerability a potential gateway for more extensive attacks.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily accessible through physical or network-based access to the vehicle's update infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks during firmware updates or exploit the system's trust model to deploy malicious payloads. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1547, which addresses application installation and execution. The vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in the automotive cybersecurity principle of defense in depth, where multiple security layers should prevent unauthorized modifications. Organizations should implement robust firmware integrity checks, secure update protocols, and network segmentation to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining secure update mechanisms in automotive systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all components involved in firmware installation processes.