The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Researchers earned a documented $129,500 for four Tesla Wall Connector exploit attempts on day two of Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 in Tokyo. The title’s $129,000 is a rounded figure. The demonstrations targeted the charger—not a Tesla vehicle’s driving systems—and the disclosed vulnerabilities had different access requirements: one was network-adjacent, while another required physical presence.
How the $129,500 Tesla charger payout was split
The awards covered four attempts against the Tesla Wall Connector. Two were successful unique results; two received smaller collision awards because the bugs used were already known. The official ZDI day-two results and SecurityWeek’s January 23, 2025 report list the amounts below.
| Researcher or team | Result | Award |
|---|---|---|
| PHP Hooligans | Used a numeric range comparison without a minimum check (CWE-839) to take over the charger and crash it. | $50,000 |
| Synacktiv | Used a logic bug in an exploit chain through the charging connector. | $45,000 |
| PCAutomotive | Collision result using a previously known bug. | $22,500 |
| Sina Kheirkhah | Collision result; both bugs in the exploit chain were already known. | $12,500 |
The four awards total $129,500. Across the full three-day Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 competition, organizers awarded $886,250 for 49 zero-days, according to the ZDI competition results.
Were the Tesla Wall Connector exploits remote?
There was no single access method for all the results. ZDI’s advisories describe two different vulnerabilities with distinct prerequisites; they should not be treated as evidence that every demonstration was remotely exploitable.
#1 Best Overall
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Network-adjacent HTTP parsing flaw
ZDI-25-711 identifies CVE-2025-8320, rated CVSS 8.8. It describes an unauthenticated, network-adjacent attack involving HTTP Content-Length parsing. Improper validation can lead to memory access beyond an allocated buffer and arbitrary code execution in the device context. ZDI credits PHP Hooligans.
Physical access to the firmware-upgrade feature
ZDI-25-712 identifies CVE-2025-8321, rated CVSS 6.8. It describes a physically present attacker exploiting the firmware-upgrade feature, which lacks an anti-downgrade mechanism. ZDI says the flaw can be combined with other vulnerabilities for code execution and credits Synacktiv.
Rank #2
- COMPATIBLE WITH TESLA MODEL 3/MODEL Y/MODEL X/MODEL S CHARGER: Seven Sparta Charging Cable holder is a perfect holder to hang your charging cable from in the garage.
- KEEP YOUR CHARGING CABLE NEATLY AND SECURE: The cable organizer is much better than a normal hook. It does a good job of keeping the cable off of the ground, and protect your cable from falling down accidentally.
- SAFE ABS MATERIAL: The charger cable organizer is made from high quality ABS plastic, pass fireproofing grade testing. The bearing capacity can reach above 30KG at least. Prior to purchasing, we recommend confirming the product's size and material.
- EASY & SECURE INSTALLATION: The charging cable holder takes just minutes to install. The charger head fits snugly into the slot, with a notch to prevent it from sliding out.
Before the contest, ZDI had described the charger’s configuration Wi-Fi access point (with an SSID beginning TeslaWallConnector), web management interface, TCP ports 80 and 34578, and software-update communications as likely attack avenues—not necessarily the only ones. That context does not establish that any one avenue was used in every contest result. See ZDI’s day-one report.
Which firmware fixes the disclosed vulnerabilities?
Both ZDI advisories list Tesla Wall Connector firmware 24.44.3 as the fix version. The advisory for CVE-2025-8320 says the HTTP parsing issue was fixed in that firmware; the advisory for CVE-2025-8321 gives the same fix version for the upgrade-feature issue.
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- UP TO 9X FASTER CHARGING SPEED: The IYILO electric vehicle charging station delivers up to 46 miles of range per hour at 48A (11.5kW) via hardwired installation (60A breaker & licensed electrician required). Current is adjustable in 1A increments from 6A to 48A. Charges up to 9 times faster than a standard Level 1 charger
- AUTOMATIC CONNECTOR OVERHEAT PROTECTION: Worried about overheating during daily charging? The IYILO Level 2 EV Charger features an advanced NTC temperature sensor built directly into the NACS (Tesla-style) connector, enabling real-time temperature monitoring with live data displayed in the app. If the connector temperature exceeds 221°F (105°C), the system will automatically reduce charging power or completely shut off charging to prevent damage to your EV and ensure safe home charging.
- UTILITY CHARGING PROGRAM SUPPORT: IYILO is currently joining local utility EV charging programs and has been listed on several official portals, including but not limited to ComEd, PSEG (NJ), PSEG-LI, Seattle City Light, Salt River Project, Portland General Electric, Oregon DOT, and Georgia Power ect. Through these programs, you can take advantage of local policy support and incentives. Moving forward, we will continue expanding our partnerships with major utilities and public agencies.
- INTELLIGENT APP & SMART CHARGING CONTROL: The IYILO App features a smart, intuitive interface to set Time-of-Use (TOU) rates, track energy usage and cost, and manage multiple user accounts. It supports multiple charging modes, such as Scheduled charging and RFID card, while also offering OTA remote upgrades, ensuring optimal performance and longer lifespan. Note: Supports 2.4GHz WiFi only; 5GHz not supported
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL NACS (J3400) EVS & PHEVS: The IYILO Level 2 EV Charger is designed with a native NACS connector and a 25ft heavy-duty charging cable, delivering seamless compatibility with all NACS-equipped electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles across North America. Engineered for Tesla-style charging standards, it ensures reliable daily home charging performance. Note: For J1772-equipped EVs, a compatible J1772 adapter is required (adapter not included)
Check the installed firmware on the Wall Connector and consult Tesla’s current support guidance for the appropriate update process for your region and model. The cited advisories establish the fix version, but do not establish an update procedure or whether every device updates automatically.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did the hackers access a Tesla car?
The reported target was the Tesla Wall Connector, an EV charger. The contest results and the two ZDI advisories describe vulnerabilities in the charger; they do not report access to a Tesla vehicle’s driving systems. The available sources also do not establish consumer incident counts or exploitation of these vulnerabilities in the wild.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- COMPATIBILITY: Wall Connector is compatible with all Tesla models: Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y.
- CHARGING SPEED: Up to 44 miles of range per hour of charge, with up to 11.5 kW / 48 amp output, depending on Tesla model and breaker size.
- CONVENIENCE: Indoor or outdoor installation with variable amperage that allows max output to be customized to an existing power supply and supports any output up to 48A. Possible max output configurations include: 48A, 40A, 32A, 24A, 16A, 12A.
- CONNECTIVITY: Connecting the Wall Connector to a local Wi-Fi network enables over-the-air firmware updates for continual product improvements and remote access control.
- POWER-SHARE: Power-share is ideal for locations that need to charge more than one Tesla at the same time. This functionality allows up to six Wall Connectors to be linked for efficient power management.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
