Automotive Connected Vehicle Security Testing Guide
// Executive Summary
Modern vehicles contain over 100 million lines of code across dozens of electronic control units (ECUs) connected to the internet via telematics units, mobile apps, and V2X communications. UN Regulation 155 (UN R155) made mandatory across EU, Japan, and Korea requires OEMs to implement Cyber Security Management Systems (CSMS) throughout the vehicle lifecycle. ISO/SAE 21434 provides the engineering standard for automotive cybersecurity. KENSAI helps automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers meet these requirements through systematic security assessment.
The UN R155 & ISO/SAE 21434 framework requires automotive organizations to demonstrate systematic security testing and vulnerability management. Compliance is not optional — regulators and auditors expect documented evidence of continuous security assessment.
UN R155 & ISO/SAE 21434 Security Controls
- UN R155 Cyber Security Management System (CSMS)
- ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity engineering
- Telematics and OTA update security
- Mobile app and backend API security
- V2X communication security assessment
- Supplier software bill of materials (SBOM) review
Understanding your threat landscape is essential for effective UN R155 & ISO/SAE 21434 vulnerability assessment. Automotive organizations are targeted by sophisticated adversaries exploiting industry-specific weaknesses.
Priority Threat Vectors
- Remote vehicle control via telematics unit compromise — A critical threat vector requiring immediate detection and remediation for automotive organizations.
- OTA update mechanism exploitation — A critical threat vector requiring immediate detection and remediation for automotive organizations.
- Mobile app API vulnerabilities enabling account takeover — A critical threat vector requiring immediate detection and remediation for automotive organizations.
- CAN bus injection via compromised ECUs — A critical threat vector requiring immediate detection and remediation for automotive organizations.
- GPS spoofing affecting navigation and location services — A critical threat vector requiring immediate detection and remediation for automotive organizations.
KENSAI's AI-powered platform streamlines UN R155 & ISO/SAE 21434 vulnerability assessment for automotive organizations, turning weeks of manual work into hours of automated coverage with audit-ready reports.
Automotive API Security Testing
Assess vehicle backend APIs and telematics platforms for OWASP API Top 10 vulnerabilities and automotive-specific threats.
Mobile App Security Assessment
Security testing of companion mobile applications that control vehicle functions and access sensitive owner data.
OTA Security Validation
Assess over-the-air update mechanisms for vulnerabilities that could allow malicious firmware installation.
UN R155 Evidence Package
Generate UN R155 CSMS evidence documentation for type approval submission to vehicle authorities.
Recommended Assessment Process
- Map the connected vehicle attack surface: telematics, mobile apps, backend APIs, OTA, V2X interfaces
- Identify critical safety-related systems and data flows requiring priority assessment
- Run KENSAI's web/API vulnerability scanner across automotive backend infrastructure
- Conduct mobile application security assessment for iOS and Android companion apps
- Generate UN R155 and ISO/SAE 21434 compliance documentation for type approval
- Implement continuous monitoring of automotive cloud and API infrastructure
What is UN R155 and who must comply?
UN Regulation 155 requires automotive OEMs to implement and maintain Cyber Security Management Systems (CSMS) for vehicles sold in EU, Japan, Korea, and other markets. It covers the entire vehicle lifecycle from design through decommissioning.
What is ISO/SAE 21434?
ISO/SAE 21434 is the international standard for automotive cybersecurity engineering. It defines processes for threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA), cybersecurity concept development, and cybersecurity validation throughout the vehicle development lifecycle.
What are the most common attack vectors for connected vehicles?
Backend API and telematics unit vulnerabilities are most commonly exploited. Mobile companion apps often have weaker security than the vehicle itself. OTA update mechanisms represent high-impact attack vectors.
Do automotive suppliers need to comply with UN R155?
While UN R155 directly applies to OEMs, OEMs pass down requirements to Tier 1 suppliers through supply chain agreements. Suppliers providing software or connected components typically must demonstrate cybersecurity compliance.
Can KENSAI assess in-vehicle systems (ECUs, CAN bus)?
KENSAI specializes in connected vehicle backend assessment — APIs, telematics platforms, mobile apps, and cloud infrastructure. Hardware ECU and CAN bus testing requires specialized automotive security hardware tools.