Serious Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities Found in High-End Racing Bicycles

TapTechNews August 15th news, a new study reveals that there are serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities in high-end racing bicycles. Researchers found that the wireless shifting system on bicycles is vulnerable to hacker attacks, which may have a significant impact on major events including the Tour de France.

The research team from the University of California, San Diego and Northeastern University in the US cooperated to conduct this study. They pointed out that the wireless shifting system of bicycles is designed to improve the controllability of riders, but at the same time it introduces new security risks. These vulnerabilities may be maliciously exploited by hackers, by manipulating shifting or interfering with shifting operations, giving riders an unfair advantage and even causing accidents or injuries.

TapTechNews noted that the researchers focused on the Shimano Di2 wireless shifting system with the highest market share, which connects the shifter controlled by the rider to the derailleur responsible for chain shifting through a wireless connection. The research team found that by recording and retransmitting instructions, attacks can be launched within a 10-meter range using commercially available equipment. They also confirmed that targeted jamming attacks can be carried out on specific bicycles to prevent them from shifting without affecting other bicycles around.

Currently, the research team is cooperating with Shimano to patch the vulnerabilities, and Shimano has also begun to take some of the recommended countermeasures.