Cybersecurity threats in embedded systems : case study of industrial protocols (Modbus & CAN bus)
Grahn, Matias (2026)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026051211495
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026051211495
Tiivistelmä
The increasing use of embedded systems in industrial and safety-critical environments has made cybersecurity an important concern. Many industrial communication protocols, such as Modbus and Controller Area Network (CAN), were not originally designed with security features, which can expose embedded systems to various cyber threats.
The aim of this thesis is to study and analyze cybersecurity threats in embedded systems, with a focus on the industrial communication protocols Modbus and CAN bus. The thesis is conducted as a literature-based study using scientific publications, standards, and technical documentation.
The results will indicate that both Modbus and CAN bus may be vulnerable to several types of attacks, mainly because they were not originally designed with authentication or encryption mechanisms. The study highlights common attack scenarios with real world examples and design-level mitigation strategies to improve cybersecurity of embedded and industrial systems.
The aim of this thesis is to study and analyze cybersecurity threats in embedded systems, with a focus on the industrial communication protocols Modbus and CAN bus. The thesis is conducted as a literature-based study using scientific publications, standards, and technical documentation.
The results will indicate that both Modbus and CAN bus may be vulnerable to several types of attacks, mainly because they were not originally designed with authentication or encryption mechanisms. The study highlights common attack scenarios with real world examples and design-level mitigation strategies to improve cybersecurity of embedded and industrial systems.