Steering Your Car With Electromagnetic Fields

Several advanced driver assistance systems require a reliable angle of the steering wheel as input for their control-loop cycle. This research investigates attacks on the steering wheel angle sensor with electromagnetic fields. We present measurement data showing that an angle of 160 degrees or larger can be injected into the steering wheel angle sensor using a Helmholz coil. Further, this paper describes the reaction of the steering system on this manipulation. The most interesting observations were full use of an injected steering wheel angle by the receiving system if the injection started before the vehicle was started. Additionally, we describe the failure detection in the electric stability control and discuss existing compensating measures as well as possible mitigation measures.