Major Carmaker’s Dealer Portal Flaws Expose Customer Data and enable Vehicle Control risks

Unrestricted Admin Account Creation poses Severe Security Threats

A cybersecurity researcher identified critical vulnerabilities within a leading automobile manufacturer’s dealer portal, uncovering that these security gaps exposed sensitive customer facts and vehicle data. More concerningly, attackers could perhaps gain remote control over customers’ vehicles through these weaknesses.

The inquiry revealed that anyone could create an administrative account granting unfettered access to the company’s centralized web platform. Such access would allow malicious users to view confidential financial records, monitor real-time vehicle locations, and activate remote functions linked to individual cars.

Extensive Exposure Across Thousands of Dealerships Nationwide

This compromised admin account provided entry into systems utilized by more than 1,000 dealerships across the country. The portal contained vast amounts of data including dealership financial reports, customer leads, and telematics information for managed vehicles.

“No one realizes that you can silently browse all these dealers’ private data-their finances and sensitive details-without detection,” explained the security expert highlighting the breadth of exposure.

Powerful National Consumer Lookup Tool with Minimal Input Requirements

The platform included a consumer lookup feature allowing authorized users to retrieve detailed driver and vehicle records using only basic inputs such as first/last names or vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). In tests using publicly visible VINs from parked cars, the researcher successfully identified owners without needing further authorization.

Easily Exploitable Remote Control Features Due to Weak Verification

The system permitted linking vehicles with mobile accounts enabling remote operations like unlocking doors via smartphone apps. Ownership transfers or pairing a vehicle with an account required merely a simple attestation-an unverifiable claim-that the user initiating changes was authorized.

During controlled testing with consent from acquaintances, this loophole allowed full remote control over another person’s car. Attackers who know basic personal details or can obtain VIN numbers from public areas could exploit this vulnerability similarly.

Beyond remote Access: Broader Security Implications

The researcher did not attempt physical theft but noted how such flaws might facilitate unauthorized entry into vehicles or theft of belongings by exploiting remote unlocking alone-posing significant risks for both car owners and dealerships alike.

Dangers Amplified by Single Sign-On Integration Across Dealer Systems

An additional risk stemmed from single sign-on (SSO) functionality connecting multiple dealer platforms under one authentication framework. This design flaw meant breaching one system enabled lateral movement across others without requiring separate credentials for each service.

Admin accounts created through exploitation also possessed “impersonation” privileges allowing them to assume identities of other users seamlessly within different dealer portals-effectively bypassing standard login procedures entirely. Similar impersonation issues have been reported in automotive networks earlier this year as well.

“these impersonation capabilities are ticking time bombs waiting for exploitation,” warned the expert regarding dealership software ecosystems’ vulnerabilities.

Sensitive Data at Risk: Real-Time Tracking & Financial Information Exposure

Apart from personal identification details and payment info stored on these platforms were telematics tools capable of tracking rental or courtesy vehicles live as they moved across regions-and even options permitting cancellation of shipments mid-transit (though no attempts were made during testing).

Rapid remediation following Responsible Disclosure Demonstrates importance of Strong Authentication

The flaws were responsibly disclosed early in 2025; fixes addressing two critical API weaknesses related mainly to authentication processes were deployed within about one week after notification. This swift patch highlights how essential errors in verifying user identity can quickly compromise entire systems when overlooked:

“If authentication is flawed, everything else collapses.”

Key Takeaways: Enhancing Authentication Is Vital For Automotive Cybersecurity resilience

• Robust user verification is essential: Simple attestations cannot safeguard high-risk actions like remote vehicle access or ownership changes effectively.
• Siloed system architectures reduce attack impact: Avoiding overly integrated single sign-on environments limits damage if credentials are compromised on any segment.
• Tight controls on impersonation features: Allowing admins unchecked ability to act as other users creates dangerous attack vectors vulnerable to abuse if exploited maliciously.
• diligent monitoring & logging must be enforced: Silent browsing through sensitive datasets should trigger alerts preventing unnoticed misuse across dealership networks worldwide.

A Wake-Up Call For Automotive industry Stakeholders Amid Rising Cyber Threats

This incident underscores ongoing challenges automakers face integrating digital services into sales channels amid escalating cyberattacks targeting connected vehicles globally-a sector where attacks surged over 60% year-over-year according to recent industry analyses as smart features become standard worldwide.

“As connected technologies rapidly evolve inside modern automobiles,” experts caution “implementing rigorous cybersecurity protocols at every touchpoint-from manufacturing portals down to end-user applications-is more crucial than ever.”