Many Lexus Navigation Systems Bricked By Over-The-Air Software Update (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: An unknown number of Lexus automobiles have seen their infotainment and navigation head units broken by a bug in an over-the-air software update from Lexus. The glitch, which was confirmed by a Lexus spokesperson, was delivered in a routine software update. In affected cars, it can cause the dashboard screen to spontaneously reset itself and, as a result, both the radio and navigation system can be unusable. It affects cars equipped with Lexus' Enform system with navigation. Lexus social media channels have been flooded by frustrated owners, but the company has been unable to give any estimates for when the problem will be resolved. The company also couldn't say whether customers will see the problem fix itself with another software update or if they will need to head into dealers to get it fixed. Some users on Twitter have reported success with disconnecting their battery for a few moments to force a reset of the system.

Comments

Obligatory nitpick

[Yosho]

The company also couldn't say whether customers will see the problem fix itself with another software update or if they will need to head into dealers to get it fixed. Some users on Twitter have reported success with disconnecting their battery for a few moments to force a reset of the system.

If a reset of the system can fix the problem, it's not bricked. If a software update can fix it, it's also not bricked.

"Bricked" means it is completely unrepairable and useless as anything other than a brick.

Re:Obligatory nitpick

[Joce640k]

Idiots change the meaning of words all the time. It's what they do best.

And if you think you don't use any words in a way that makes your grandparents cringe ... you're one of them.

Re:Obligatory nitpick

[stealth_finger]

If you can even get to the battery.... with newer cars, the days of shadetree mechanics are long gone, how long is it before removing the connectors fromt he posts will require special tools.

Before too long you want even be able to open the bonnet without specialised tools.

Car manufacturers don't understant InfoSec

[sinij]

Car manufacturers do not understand InfoSec and should not be networking cars. It is only matter of short time until someone reverse-engineers update mechanism, inevitably discovering that they did not implement code signing and integrity checking, craft malicious update and bricks (or worse) cars equipped with such functionality.

More so, in 15 years your networked car could still be on the road. Even if 2015 best-practices are followed, by 2030 how resistant do you think such over-the-air update functionality going to be to, for example, quantum-capable attackers?

that's a $50,000 Toyota for you

[known_coward_69]

underneath the buzzwords and the snobby sales experience it's still a Toyota for a $10,000 premium over a regular Toyota but that is how they make your money, their money

I told you so

[smooth wombat]

I pointed out this very flaw in a comment not too long ago:

https://slashdot.org/comments....

Why anyone would let an unknown person send random software to a vehicle I bought and own any time they want without me knowing it is simply begging for this type of situation.

People are upset about Microsoft forcing updates on them, they should be equally upset at car manufacturers or anyone else who does the same thing.

But I'm sure there will be hypocritical excuses for why this is acceptable despite large portions of the /. community who would go on a rampage if this were done to their home machines.