Security Researcher Discovers Over 1,300 TeslaMate Dashboards Leaking Real-Time Vehicle Data

A striking reminder of the dangers of unsecured self-hosted platforms surfaced when a security researcher revealed that over 1,300 TeslaMate servers were publicly exposed online, inadvertently disclosing sensitive Tesla vehicle data.

The discovery highlights a growing cybersecurity challenge: how everyday consumers, empowered by open-source tools, may inadvertently create significant privacy vulnerabilities.

This Threatfeed examines the incident in detail, analyzes the cybersecurity implications, and offers practical guidance for Tesla owners and self-hosting enthusiasts seeking to safeguard their data.

Hundreds of TeslaMate Dashboards Left Wide Open

The discovery was made by Seyfullah Kiliç, founder of the Turkish cybersecurity company SwordSec. Kiliç mapped and analyzed hundreds of TeslaMate servers — an open-source platform that allows Tesla owners to self-host dashboards tracking their vehicles’ health and usage.

His findings were alarming. More than 1,300 dashboards were found to be accessible without authentication. In many cases, no password protection or firewall rules were in place, meaning anyone on the internet could view the data.

The information exposed included:

GPS location and real-time tracking
Trip histories with precise timestamps
Vehicle model and specifications
Battery health and charging sessions
Driving behaviors and routes

For Tesla owners, this was more than just a technical issue; it was a blueprint of their daily life patterns, revealing where they live, work, and travel.

Why This Exposure Matters

At first glance, some might view the leakage as little more than a hobbyist mishap. However, in the era of widespread cybercrime, such oversights carry significant consequences.

Physical Security Risks: Real-time GPS data could allow malicious actors to track when a car (and its owner) is home, away, or on vacation.
Targeted Crime: Thieves could exploit data about charging patterns or vehicle locations to identify vulnerable targets.
Identity and Privacy Concerns: Combined with other datasets, exposed TeslaMate logs could help build detailed profiles of individuals, including their routines and personal habits.
Cybersecurity Attack Surface: Exposed servers may provide an entry point for further exploitation, especially if misconfigured systems contain other vulnerabilities.

This is not just about Tesla or car enthusiasts; it’s a textbook example of how self-hosted tools, if mismanaged, can become privacy liabilities.

From Dozens to Over a Thousand

Back in 2022, only “dozens” of TeslaMate dashboards were reported as publicly exposed. Fast-forward to 2025, and the number has skyrocketed past 1,300, showing an alarming growth curve.

Why the surge?

Popularity of TeslaMate: As Tesla’s global customer base grows, more owners are attracted to TeslaMate’s ability to visualize vehicle data without relying on Tesla’s own servers.
Ease of Self-Hosting: The rise of home labs, Docker containers, and affordable cloud services makes it easier for average users to spin up dashboards — but not all understand the security implications.
Configuration Missteps: Many users either fail to set up authentication or leave servers exposed due to incorrect firewall settings.

In other words, the democratization of data logging has created an army of unsecured endpoints, each one a potential privacy breach.

What Is TeslaMate and Why Do Owners Use It?

TeslaMate is an open-source data logger and visualization platform developed by Adrian Kumpf. It provides detailed insights into Tesla vehicles that go beyond what Tesla’s official app offers, including:

Long-term battery health monitoring
Detailed charging statistics and costs
Route visualizations and driving efficiency metrics
Custom dashboards powered by Grafana

The appeal is clear: TeslaMate gives owners full ownership of their vehicle data. Unlike Tesla’s cloud services, which operate as a black box, TeslaMate allows transparency and historical analysis.

However, the catch is equally clear: with great data ownership comes great responsibility.

Mapping the Problem

Kiliç didn’t merely identify exposed dashboards — he mapped them visually, creating a geographic snapshot of where these servers were located. The data illustrated just how widespread the problem is, with exposed dashboards in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Importantly, the research was conducted in the spirit of awareness, not exploitation. Kiliç did not disclose specific server addresses but highlighted the scale to emphasize the need for urgent action.

Implications Beyond Tesla

Although TeslaMate is at the center of this story, the lesson resonates far more broadly. Self-hosted, open-source platforms — whether for home automation, fitness tracking, or smart devices — are proliferating.

Each misconfigured server represents:

A privacy risk: sensitive personal data leaking into the public domain.
A cybersecurity risk: attack surfaces that could be exploited.
A societal challenge: how to balance the benefits of open-source empowerment with the responsibilities of secure deployment.

This incident is, in many ways, a case study in the hidden risks of the DIY internet.

How TeslaMate Users Can Protect Their Data

For Tesla owners using TeslaMate, the good news is that these exposures are not due to a fundamental flaw in the software, but rather misconfigurations by users. Adrian Kumpf, TeslaMate’s developer, has already released fixes aimed at reducing accidental exposures. Still, ultimate responsibility rests with the host.

Here are the key steps TeslaMate users should take:

1. Enable Authentication

Ensure your TeslaMate dashboards require a strong username and password. Default or empty authentication is the primary cause of exposure.

2. Use a Firewall or VPN

Restrict access to your server by setting firewall rules or hosting TeslaMate behind a VPN. Only authorized devices should connect.

3. Avoid Public Exposure

Do not expose TeslaMate dashboards directly to the public internet. Instead, keep them on a private network or behind a reverse proxy with SSL.

4. Update Regularly

Always run the latest version of TeslaMate and supporting software (Grafana, PostgreSQL, etc.), as updates often include important security fixes.

5. Monitor Logs

Review access logs to detect any unusual activity. Anomalies may indicate that unauthorized access attempts are being made.

Tesla’s Role in the Ecosystem

While Tesla itself was not directly responsible for these exposures, the company has a stake in how its data is handled. The popularity of TeslaMate points to a gap in Tesla’s official data offerings. Many owners seek more granular insights than Tesla provides, prompting them to turn to third-party tools.

Some experts argue that Tesla could help mitigate risks by:

Offering more transparent APIs for owners who want deeper analytics.
Providing official guidance on safe use of third-party data loggers.
Educating users on the dangers of unsecured self-hosting.

This would not only protect owners but also reinforce trust in Tesla’s broader ecosystem.

The TeslaMate exposure is not an isolated problem. It reflects a broader trend where self-hosted open-source tools, when poorly secured, become ticking time bombs.

Home automation platforms like Home Assistant have faced similar issues.
Fitness data trackers and IoT devices often leak personal data when misconfigured.
Cloud misconfigurations in Amazon AWS or Google Cloud have repeatedly exposed sensitive corporate data.

In every case, the pattern is the same: misconfiguration, lack of awareness, and unintended exposure.

For Tesla owners, the takeaway is simple: if you use TeslaMate, secure it as carefully as you would your car itself. For the broader community, the lesson is universal: owning your data comes with the responsibility to protect it.

As open-source adoption accelerates, incidents like this may become more common. However, with the proper security practices, users can enjoy the benefits of transparency and control without compromising their privacy.