Cybersecurity of Automotive Wired Networking Systems: Evolution, Challenges, and Countermeasures

The evolution of Electrical and Electronic (E/E) architectures in the automotive industry has been a significant factor in the transformation of vehicles from traditional mechanical systems to sophisticated, software-defined machines. With increasing vehicle connectivity and the growing threats from cyberattacks that could compromise safety and violate user privacy, the incorporation of cybersecurity into the automotive development process is becoming imperative. As vehicles evolve into sophisticated interconnected systems, understanding their vulnerabilities becomes essential to improve cybersecurity. This paper also discusses the role of evolving standards and regulations, such as ISO 26262 and ISO/SAE 21434, in ensuring both the safety and cybersecurity of modern vehicles. This paper offers a comprehensive review of the current challenges in automotive cybersecurity, with a focus on the vulnerabilities of the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol. Additionally, we explore state-of-the-art countermeasures, focusing on Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), which are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to detect anomalies and prevent attacks in real time. Through an analysis of publicly available CAN datasets, we evaluate the effectiveness of IDS frameworks in mitigating these threats.