Porsche cars immobilized by cyber attacks in Russia

Drivers of Porsche vehicles in Russia have taken to social media platforms to express frustration and concern over a series of issues affecting their cars. According to reports, a growing number of Porsche owners have experienced sudden immobilization of their vehicles, with symptoms including unresponsive security systems, complete battery depletion, and failure of factory-installed Vehicle Tracking Systems (VTS)—systems that also serve as integral components of the car’s alarm mechanisms.

The problem, it seems, stems from what many are calling a sophisticated cyber attack involving satellite interference, potentially linked to state-sponsored actors. The widespread disruption has particularly affected Porsche models produced after 2013, with a significant number of owners reporting their cars locking themselves out or becoming entirely inoperable. Models manufactured prior to 2013, on the other hand, appear to be susceptible to jamming or disruption by external satellite-based interference, which is negatively impacting the functionality of critical security features, including the VTS and alarm systems.

Yulia Trushkova, Service Director at Rolf (a prominent Russian automotive dealership), confirmed that Porsche vehicles built post-2013 are experiencing malfunctions, likely due to a coordinated attack on the onboard immobilizer systems. These systems are crucial for vehicle security, preventing unauthorized operation or theft of the car. In some cases, the attack has led to a complete failure of the system, rendering the vehicles inoperable.

Read more at Cybersecurity Insiders