Hackers can successfully disable car’s airbags as well as other functions by exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in third-party software that is commonly used by car mechanics. The attack replaces the FTDI DLL used to communicate with the diagnostic cable with a malicious version of the software used to run diagnostics. Once infected, the hacker can take control of the car’s diagnostic system, allowing items to be switched ON or OFF without even driver’s knowledge. Researchers demonstrated the hack on an Audi TT car sold by Volkswagen, and said any car brand potentially hackable.
Source: https://thehackernews.com/2015/10/hacking-car-airbag.html