Securing Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in Autonomous Vehicles
Industry: Automotive
Electronic Control Units (ECUs) are critical components of autonomous vehicles (AVs) that control crucial systems, like braking, acceleration, and steering. These embedded systems communicate via Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or Ethernet and operate independently of an OS. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles typically average about 70 ECUs, whereas AVs rely on hundreds of ECUs to process data from various sensors necessary to navigate and react to current road conditions.
Challenge
ECUs are most commonly programmed in languages like C and C++, leaving these systems susceptible to memory safety vulnerabilities. One of the most prevalent memory safety issues in ECUs is buffer overflow vulnerabilities. These occur when data is written beyond the bounds of allocated memory, which can lead to unauthorized access and control. An attacker that exploits a memory-safety vulnerability in the ECU firmware could take runtime control and cause erratic vehicle behavior.
“From our perspective, adding RunSafe means we have more opportunity to shrink the attack surface and reduce overall risks for our customers since security is now already built into our product.”
Key Features:
Automated Mitigation and Code Protection
Minimized Attack Surfaces
Seamless
Integration
Futureproof from Zero Days
Solution
RunSafe offers a memory-based cybersecurity solution designed to keep ECUs in autonomous vehicle systems secure against known and unknown threats.
Key features of RunSafe’s solution include:
- Automated mitigation and code protection: RunSafe’s solution continuously monitors automotive embedded software systems for potential risks, identifying and mitigating risks before they can impact vehicle safety and operation.
- Minimized attack surfaces: By using unique technology to cyberharden vehicle components, RunSafe reduces opportunities for attackers to exploit memory safety vulnerabilities and take control of critical systems.
- Seamless integration: RunSafe’s cybersecurity measures are easily integrated and align with existing automotive safety standards (such as ISO/SAE 21434 and ISO 26262), improving compliance and enhancing the overall safety of vehicle systems.
- Futureproof from zero day threats: By protecting against known and unknown vulnerabilities and denying the building blocks of zero days, RunSafe prevents future attacks by eliminating the entire class of memory safety vulnerabilities.
Examples
Enhancing autonomous vehicle safety: RunSafe offers collaboration with automotive companies to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles. By implementing cybersecurity measures that comply with ISO 26262 standards, RunSafe can help protect autonomous systems from cyber threats, ensuring their safe operation.
Securing telematics and communication systems: RunSafe stands ready to partner with automotive manufacturers to secure telematics and communication networks within connected vehicles. By implementing RunSafe’s advanced cybersecurity solutions, automotive manufacturers can protect against potential cyber threats, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of their fleets.
Example Vulnerability: CVE-2022-42431: CVE-2022-42431 is a critical vulnerability discovered in Tesla Model 3 vehicles. The vulnerability is classified as a classic buffer overflow, specifically affecting the bcmdhd driver. The vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected Tesla vehicles and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
Latest Resources
Ransomware in OT Environments: A 2025 Perspective
Operational technology (OT) ransomware attacks have escalated to crisis levels in 2025. A recent FBI report revealed a 9% increase in ransomware attacks targeting U.S. infrastructure in 2024, with more than 1,300 complaints linked to critical sectors like energy,...
Driving Innovation Safely: 5 Ways to Secure Software-Defined Vehicles
With millions of lines of code and hundreds of software programs managing everything from autonomous systems to braking, software security is now an undeniable component of vehicle safety. The challenge for the industry is balancing rapid innovation with stringent...
Improving Code Coverage: The Benefits of Exhaustive Static Analysis & Runtime Exploit Prevention
This is a guest post by TrustInSoft. TrustInSoft develops solutions for advanced software analysis that specialize in formal verification of C, C++ and Rust source code to ensure safety, security and reliability. Key Takeaways: High code coverage is crucial for...
Headquarters: 1775 Tysons Blvd, Fifth Floor McLean, VA 22102
Huntsville Regional Office: UAH I2C Building 301 Sparkman Dr. Huntsville, AL 35899
EMEA Office: Agnes-Pockels-Bogen 1 80992 Munich, Germany
+1 (571) 441-5076
Sales@RunSafeSecurity.com
© Copyright 2024 RunSafe Security. All Rights Reserved.