A Review of Cybersecurity Threats in Automotive Semiconductor Control Units
Keywords:
Automotive cybersecurity, electronic control units, automotive semiconductors, ECU security, vehicle electronicsAbstract
The increasing dependence of modern vehicles on electronic control units (ECUs) has transformed automobiles into complex cyber-physical systems. These ECUs are built on automotive-grade semiconductor platforms that execute safety-critical and connectivity-oriented functions. While advancements in semiconductor integration have improved vehicle performance and functionality, they have simultaneously expanded the cybersecurity attack surface. This paper presents a technical review of cybersecurity threats affecting automotive semiconductor control units, focusing on vulnerabilities at the hardware, firmware, and communication levels. Industry trends, safety–security interdependencies, and mitigation strategies are examined from a semiconductor-centric perspective. The review highlights existing research gaps and identifies future directions for developing secure automotive electronic architectures.
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