LIN-MM: Multiplexed Message Authentication Code for Local Interconnect Network message authentication in road vehicles

The automotive market is profitable for cyberattacks with the constant shift toward interconnected vehicles. Electronic Control Units (ECUs) installed on cars often operate in a critical and hostile environment. Hence, both carmakers and governments have supported initiatives to mitigate risks and threats belonging to the automotive domain. The Local Interconnect Network (LIN) is one of the most used communication protocols in the automotive field. Today’s LIN buses have just a few light security mechanisms to assure integrity through Message Authentication Codes (MAC). However, several limitations with strong constraints make applying those techniques to LIN networks challenging, leaving several vehicles still unprotected. This paper presents LIN Multiplexed MAC (LIN-MM), a new approach for exploiting signal modulation to multiplex MAC data with standard LIN communication. LIN-MM allows for transmitting MAC payloads, maintaining full-back compatibility with all versions of the standard LIN protocol.