According to a recent report, hackers have found a new exploit that allows them to unlock expensive features in Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) without actually paying for them. This exploit could potentially even enable hackers to activate the self-driving feature, which costs $15,000, in regions where it is locked out. However, the researchers who discovered the exploit have not attempted this themselves. The vulnerability affecting the software capabilities of the EVs is actually hardware-based, meaning that Tesla cannot simply patch it through software updates. The researchers mentioned that fixing the vulnerability would require Tesla to replace the affected hardware. When approached for comment on the exploit, Tesla did not respond to TechCrunch’s request.

This is not the first time that hackers have targeted Tesla vehicles. However, the consequences of this new exploit are more far-reaching compared to previous hacks. Previous hacks included a targeted takeover of a specific Model S car, shutting down a Model S using a connected laptop, and rooting the Model 3 to run Ubuntu on it, among other modifications with varying intentions. Tesla endeavors to monitor such hacking attempts closely. In fact, a Tesla driver in 2014 was contacted by the Tesla service center after using an exploit to install Firefox on the dashboard display of their Model S. The company does not take hacking attempts lightly.