How OSINT is Transforming Automotive Cybersecurity: A Closer Look at Protecting Connected Cars with Public Intelligence

Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only.

Cars today are more than just machines—they’re sophisticated, internet-enabled devices, loaded with software, apps, and communication systems that make them both highly functional and, unfortunately, vulnerable to cyber threats. With these advancements, automakers are turning to Open Source Intelligence, or OSINT, as a key player in protecting their vehicles. By gathering public data, OSINT helps automotive security teams identify potential vulnerabilities and threats early, giving them a chance to address issues before they become problems. Here’s a closer look at the many ways OSINT is used to secure connected cars, with real-world insights to illustrate.

Finding Software Weaknesses Before Hackers Do

A modern car is essentially a mobile computer with millions of lines of code running everything from entertainment to braking. As with any software, vulnerabilities can arise, and OSINT helps cybersecurity teams keep an eye out for these weaknesses. Public vulnerability databases, like the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database, document known software flaws, many of which could impact vehicle systems.

Consider this: An in-car entertainment system uses an open-source component that suddenly appears in the CVE database with a critical vulnerability, allowing potential remote access to vehicle controls. When OSINT flags this vulnerability, security teams can jump in to patch the software. This proactive monitoring can prevent high-profile incidents like the Jeep Cherokee hack in 2015, where hackers took control of the car’s steering, brakes, and acceleration through the entertainment system.

Keeping a Step Ahead of Hackers

Hackers who....