A white hat hacker and Tesla owner claimed his car's firmware was remotely downgraded after hacking its firmware and reportedly finding an image suggesting the company has a new car with upgraded performance in the works.
Researcher Jason Hughes said he discovered an image, which he tweeted, of the badge for what he said may be an upcoming model by Tesla, the P100D, hidden in the firmware of his Model S P85D after he hacked into his car's firmware.
Upon making the discovery, Hughes disclosed his findings in a cryptic tweet sent to the company and Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk.
Shortly after the disclosure, Hughes alleged that Tesla remotely downgraded his vehicle's firmware.
Musk said Hughes car's system wasn't downgraded at his request and told Hughes "good hacking is a gift."@wk057 @TeslaMotors Wasn't done at my request. Good hacking is a gift.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2016
