Adversaries may manipulate ECU image or firmware to maintain persistent access to vehicle systems. This technique involves altering the software running on the vehicle's electronic control units (ECUs) to establish a foothold and maintain control over the vehicle's functions.
By rewriting the ECU image or firmware, adversaries can implant backdoors or malicious code, allowing them to maintain access and control over the vehicle even after initial access has been removed. This can enable adversaries to persistently manipulate the vehicle's behavior, posing significant risks to driver safety and privacy.
This type of attack technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on the abuse of system features.