**Tesla's Infotainment System Quickly Hacked at Security Conference**
The Pwn2Own Automotive conference is underway in Tokyo, with 73 security teams competing for a share of over half a million dollars in prizes. The event, run by the Zero Day Initiative, has seen some impressive hacking feats already, including a group of researchers successfully breaching Tesla's infotainment system and earning $35,000.
The Synacktiv Team took home the prize after exploiting several zero-day vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to a Tesla using a USB-based attack. But that was just one of many successes for the team, who also gained root-level access to the Sony XAV-9500ES digital media receiver and earned an additional $20,000.
The hacking teams competing in Pwn2Own Automotive have been targeting various vehicles' infotainment systems as a way to gain unauthorized access. However, they've also exploited other attack vectors, including car chargers. The Fuzzware.io team hacked the Autel MaxiCharger car charger, securing a $50,000 reward.
Other groups have successfully breached the Phoenix Contact charging connector and the Grizzl-E Smart smart charger. As of day one, the top team is Fuzzware, with an impressive total of $118,000 in prize money.
The Pwn2Own Automotive conference has seen some fluctuations in prize totals over the years. The first show in 2024 saw over $1.3 million collected in security bounties, but the 2025 show handed out $886,000. This year's show has only given out $516,500 so far. Is this an indication that vehicle digital security is improving?
Companies whose technologies were exploited at the show now have 90 days to patch them before the Zero Day Initiative releases the data publicly. With 37 zero-day flaws being showcased at the conference, developers need to act quickly.
To stay up-to-date with the latest news from Pwn2Own Automotive, follow along on the Zero Day blog and X feed. The conference is a valuable opportunity for researchers to demonstrate vulnerabilities in vehicle digital systems and for manufacturers to identify areas for improvement.