Automobile Hacking and Security v3.0

Name: Automobile Hacking and Security v3.0
Rating: 4.2 (15 reviews)

Audit your car's security. Build a penetration tool to uncover vulnerabilities and threats, enhancing protection.

Created byArsalan Saleem, Secure Techware

Last updated 8/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Fundamentals of the ESP32 board architecture and capabilities
Installing and configuring the ESP32 development environment
Understanding MQTT protocol concepts and IoT communication models
Capturing and analyzing CAN-BUS data in controlled lab environments
Interpreting and studying CAN packet structures using ECU test models
Designing and building a wireless ESP32-based CAN research device
Creating MQTT subscriber devices for secure vehicle communication simulations
Performing controlled ECU security testing using lab-based models

Course content

9 sections • 25 lectures • 1h 32m total length

01-Introduction1:54
Explore how the can protocol enables vehicle vulnerabilities and wireless attacks, as the course combines can with mqtt on an esp32 to test can bus data and perform remote attacks.
02-Prerequisites1:21
Build on can protocol, replay attacks, and ecu models from versions 1.0 and 2.0 to wirelessly access can data by combining can with another protocol; prior courses are recommended.
03-Hardware Requirements4:08
Gather hardware for this course: two ESP32 boards with battery shields and 18,650 batteries, four 2515 modules, a SIM 800 L module, an Obd2 cable, and a MCP 2515 module.

01-Wireless devices1:29
This lecture introduces two wireless devices, a publisher and a subscriber, each built with a SIM module, an MCP2515 module, and an ESP32 board for sending and receiving data.
02-Things we will cover1:03
Introduce the Esp32 board setup and installation, cover Mqtt protocol fundamentals, and show building wireless devices to access canbus data from a car, plus remote model attacks.

01-ESP32 Board Overview2:52
Explore the Esp32 microcontroller with built-in wifi and bluetooth, its low-cost and low-power design, various variants, external antenna options, and Arduino IDE compatibility for IoT data loggers and automation.
02-Installation of ESP327:51
Configure the Arduino IDE, add the ESP32 board manager URL, and install the do it esp32 dev kit version one board and CP2102 or 340C drivers to enable the port.
03-Hello World Program2:24
Connect the ESP32 board, select the correct port and ESP32 dev kit version 1, then upload the blink program on pin 2 while holding the boot button.

01-Understanding MQTT Protocol4:51
Explore how Mqtt protocol enables IoT devices to communicate through a broker, with publishers sending data and subscribers receiving it via topics.
02-MQTT Protocol with CAN-Bus3:01
Explore mqtt brokers and the publish-subscribe model, using hive mq public broker and other options. Build publisher and subscriber devices with esp32 and 2515 module to exchange data over mqtt.

01-Publisher Device v3.012:09
Design and wire a publisher device using ESP32 and MCP2515 to capture CAN packets from a car and publish them via MQTT to broker, with topics for status and data.
02-Mobile Hotspot Connection with ESP322:23
Use a mobile hotspot to connect the ESP32 publisher in a car and send canvas data to the server via the broker, with hotspot credentials in code.
03-Publisher Device v3.17:05
Add the M6 GPS module to the MCP2515 CAN bus interface on the ESP32, enabling MQTT publishing of location data, speed, altitude, and satellite details.
04-Publisher Device v3.27:49
Switch from wifi and mobile hotspot to a sim module like sim800 with esp32, using the tiny gsm library to publish via mqtt without wifi.
05-Publisher Device v3.32:06
Two options for the publisher device: a self-built esp32 setup with 800 and 2515 modules for can packets, or a Sim7000g board with built-in sim for LTE; latter is costly.

01-WebSocket Subscriber4:17
Explore mqtt basics with publisher, subscriber, and topics, and learn to receive publisher data via a HiveMQ WebSocket subscriber, viewing messages in the browser.
02-OBD2 Wire1:58
Connect the obd2 connector to the car by wiring pin 14 to can low and pin 6 to can high, enabling wireless data reception.
03-Connecting Device with Car Part 13:52
Connect an obd2 wire to the car and power a wireless device to receive can data via esp32, HiveMQ WebSocket, and MQTT topics for real-time wireless data.
04-Connecting Device with Car Part 22:32
Connect a wireless device to the car and subscribe to a WebSocket topic to stream MCP 2515 data. Weather conditions can impede data delivery.

01-Create ESP32 Subscriber Device4:24
Create an esp32 subscriber device with an mcp2515 module, wire the connections, and configure mqtt topics to receive data via subscribe.
02-ECU Model Working1:45
Demonstrate the ecu model working with two systems connected via can high and can low, powered by a power bank, featuring temperature sensor and left blinker, right blinker, and horn.
03-ECU Remote Attack with Subscriber Device5:11
Demonstrate wireless can data exchange between publisher and subscriber devices on identical car models, sending left blinker, right blinker, and horn to illustrate IQ and model attacks.

Requirements

Completed Automobile Hacking and Security v1.0 (Recommended)
Completed Automobile Hacking and Security v2.0 (Recommended)
Hardware Requirements for Communicating with Real Vehicle (Find details inside course)

Description

Welcome to the third and final course on “Automobile Hacking and Security v3.0”. This course is a continuation of our previous courses, v1.0 and v2.0, where we explored CAN protocol, OBD2 protocols, ECU models, and other critical automotive communication topics.

In this advanced course, we combine CAN protocols with MQTT, a widely used IoT protocol, to create wireless ESP32-based devices for studying vehicle communication systems. You will start by learning the basics of the ESP32 board and MQTT concepts. Then, you will design and build a wireless device capable of simulating CAN-BUS communication in lab environments.

We will also work with ECU models to demonstrate security testing and vulnerability research in a controlled setup. The course focuses on ethical research, defensive testing, and understanding modern vehicle vulnerabilities. These practical exercises are suitable for cybersecurity research, thesis work, and academic projects, providing hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.

By the end of this course, you will have practical knowledge of ESP32-based automotive devices, CAN protocol integration, MQTT applications, and lab-based automotive security research.

Disclaimer:
Important: All demonstrations are conducted in controlled lab environments. This course is intended for educational and research purposes only. Students must follow all applicable laws and safety guidelines. Unauthorized access to vehicles or vehicle systems is strictly prohibited.

Who this course is for:

Cybersecurity researchers and ethical hackers
Hobbyists and learners passionate about automotive security
Anyone pursuing research, thesis, or academic projects in vehicle security
Professionals looking to enhance skills in automotive vulnerability research

Automobile Hacking and Security v3.0

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 7min

01-What we are going to accomplish2 lectures • 3min

02-Introduction to ESP323 lectures • 13min

03-MQTT Protocol2 lectures • 8min

01-Publisher Device v3.05 lectures • 32min

05-Creating Subscriber4 lectures • 13min

06-ECU Model Remote Attack3 lectures • 11min

07-Appendix1 lecture • 5min

Additional Materials2 lectures • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: