CVE-2025-6785 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Tesla Model 3 vehicles running software versions from 2023.xx up to but not including 2023.44. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, classified under CWE-74 (Injection). Specifically, the issue involves the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, a critical vehicle communication system. Physical access to externally available CAN wires can allow an attacker to inject specially crafted CAN messages. This injection can manipulate vehicle functions remotely, notably the remote start feature. The vulnerability was identified in Tesla Model 3 vehicles with software version v11.1 (2023.20.9 ee6de92ddac5). The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.7, reflecting a medium severity level. The vector indicates the attack requires physical proximity (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges or user interaction (PR:N/UI:N), but the vulnerability is in a high-security context (SC:H) and impacts vehicle control (VC:N, VI:N, VA:N, AU:Y, R:A, V:D). No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability highlights a security weakness in Tesla's CAN bus access control and message validation, allowing injection attacks that could compromise vehicle safety and user convenience features.

For European organizations, especially those with fleets of Tesla Model 3 vehicles or those involved in automotive services, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk. An attacker with physical access to a vehicle's CAN bus wiring could remotely start the vehicle without authorization, potentially facilitating theft or unauthorized use. This undermines vehicle integrity and user trust. In commercial contexts, such as car-sharing services, rental companies, or corporate fleets, exploitation could disrupt operations and lead to financial losses. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-profile individuals or organizations using Tesla Model 3 vehicles, raising concerns about privacy and physical security. Although the attack requires physical access, the widespread presence of Tesla vehicles in Europe and the value of these vehicles make the threat relevant. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and potential for physical security breaches necessitate proactive measures.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations and Tesla Model 3 owners should: 1) Restrict physical access to the vehicle's CAN bus wiring by securing the vehicle in controlled environments such as locked garages or monitored parking areas. 2) Employ physical tamper-evident seals or enclosures around CAN bus access points to detect unauthorized access attempts. 3) Monitor vehicle behavior for unusual remote start activations or CAN bus anomalies using Tesla's onboard diagnostics or third-party vehicle monitoring tools. 4) Coordinate with Tesla to ensure timely installation of software updates once patches become available, as Tesla is likely to address this vulnerability in future firmware releases. 5) For fleet operators, implement strict vehicle access policies and consider additional physical security measures such as immobilizers or GPS tracking to detect unauthorized use. 6) Educate drivers and personnel about the risks of physical tampering and encourage reporting of suspicious activity around vehicles. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on physical security controls and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of the CAN bus injection threat.