SecureTrack: Protecting Vehicular Sensors From Noninvasive EMI Attacks

The automotive industry’s advancements in road safety through sensors, actuators, and customized networks are challenged by increasing accidents, particularly in vehicles operating in autopilot mode. A significant concern is the ability to tamper with sensor data through low-power electromagnetic interference (EMI) without physical contact. This article focuses on the physical layer of vehicular networks, investigating the risk of misleading sensor data caused by deliberate EMI targeting critical subsystems. Through experiments on ultrasonic and crankshaft sensors, we developed an EMI injection unit and detection unit to evaluate the potential for sensor hacking and its impact on vehicle safety. Our findings reveal that current onboard diagnostics (OBDs) cannot detect these EMI-based attacks. To address this gap, we propose SecureTrack, an EMI detection and alert system that effectively identifies interference attempts in real time. Using a microantenna system and an embedded advanced virtual reduced instruction set computer (AVR) microcontroller, our system measures EMI strength and resonant voltage. Furthermore, the Internet of Things (IoT)-based integration enhances vehicle safety by enabling OBD and central control centers to tackle such threats. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first system developed to detect and alert against EMI attacks on automotive sensors, marking a significant advancement in the field of vehicular security.