Even connected car head units are being targeted by hackers now experts warn in-car systems are at risk of being hijacked into a botnet

Date:
Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:35:00 +0000

Description:
Kaspersky discovers Android malware targeting car head units through compromised updates.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Hackers exploited trusted software updates to deliver malware directly into car head units Kaspersky says this is the first campaign tailored specifically for vehicle head units The malware can run silently without showing drivers any visible interface
Car head units are now being drawn into a growing wave of Android malware campaigns built for connected vehicle systems, experts have warned.

A newly discovered malware campaign is infecting these head units directly, systems that combine multimedia functions with, in some models, vehicle control. According to Kaspersky, this campaign marks the first documented
case of malware built specifically for this type of infection chain. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Compromised update channels deliver malware straight into vehicles Researchers believe the activity can likely be traced back to the MoYu Group, a threat actor closely tied to the well-known BadBox botnet, which spread through the legitimate update mechanisms built directly into the firmware of Android-based head units manufactured by DoFun.

The infection chain originates from TWCore, a legitimate system app that is normally responsible for collecting analytics and updating head unit software remotely. You may like Experts warn hackers are hiding malware inside
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Attackers hijacked this trusted update channel using a specialized dropper called JarService to deliver previously unknown malware directly onto a range of affected devices.

Once successfully installed, the malware operated quietly as a regular background application without ever displaying any visible user interface.
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Kaspersky identified nine distinct remote commands built into the malware, capable of displaying unwanted ads and executing various forms of ad fraud.

The malware also actively collected sensitive device information, including display resolution, device model, Wi-Fi network identifier, and the device's MAC address.

Investigators found clear technical links between this campaign and prior attacks launched against TV set-top boxes tied to the same broader threat group. What to read next Hackers are hijacking legitimate news websites and reviews to drum up publicity Geekom reveals multiple mini-PCs may be infected with malware hidden in a network driver but it's now down to you to fix your PC Thousands of compromised websites abused by DriveSurge in active ClickFix and FakeUpdates campaigns

The research team claims that the botnet's administration panel shares embedded URLs with residential proxy service websites PXYEDGE and ProxyForU.

BadBox itself operates as a large, sprawling network of hijacked Android devices, including streaming boxes, phones, and tablets that arrive pre-infected from the factory.

Kaspersky has already formally notified the vendor about this ongoing abuse
of its legitimate software distribution channel and update infrastructure.

According to statements from DoFun, the underlying issue has since been resolved across most affected devices currently deployed in the field. Head units present a growing and largely unprotected attack surface Car head units can arrive factory-installed directly from the manufacturer or get added
later to older vehicles as aftermarket upgrades.

Manufacturers frequently rely heavily on the Android operating system because it simplifies interface customization and essential system integration work considerably.

This widespread industry reliance means most standard Android applications, along with most existing Android malware, can potentially run on these devices.

Head units rarely store sensitive personal data directly on board, which on the surface might suggest only limited appeal to attackers.

However, they typically include active SIM card slots and maintain constant internet connectivity for navigation services and routine software updates.

That particular combination of persistent connectivity and comparatively weak security oversight makes these systems a genuinely attractive prospect for attackers going forward.

The overall scale of this particular campaign remains genuinely unclear, and whether other head unit manufacturers face similar exposure is not yet known. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/even-connected-car-head-units-are-being -targeted-by-hackers-now-experts-warn-in-car-systems-are-at-risk-of-being-hija cked-into-a-botnet


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