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Revealed: car industry was warned keyless vehicles vulnerable to theft a decade ago (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Experts alerted motor trade to security risks of ‘smart key’ systems which have now fuelled highest level of car thefts for a decade.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I'm not sure about what the article is referencing, which is probably a little more exotic, but relay attacks are very common against keyless cars. Keyless cars are constantly pinging for their matching fob. A relay attack just involves a repeater antenna held outside the car that repeats the signal between the car and the fob inside the house. Since many people leave the fob near the front of the house, it works and allows thieves to enter and start the car. Canada has has a big problem with car thieves using relay attacks to then drive cars into shipping containers and then sell them overseas.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Maybe you should read the article?

If you did, you'd probably be able to see the author has no idea what's going on.

Like, the international crime ring that you're talking about that gets cars halfway around the globe in a few weeks?

That happens, but it's not why so many Kias and Hyundai are being stolen thousands of miles from a coast

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

I did read the article. I'm unfamiliar with the "hacking" tools or methods they mention given they use terms like emulator. I was simply sharing one wireless attack that is common in certain areas and why.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Don you have a good article discussing how this communication from car to key fob works?

Every fob like this that I've seen isn't effective unless the key is close to the car (inches), because it uses a no-power system in the key fob, similar to a card reader (so no battery required in the fob to unlock car and start engine, once in close proximity). I've tested this on a few cars by removing the battery in the key fob.

Other functions (door locks, remote start etc), seem to be provided by conventional key fob electronics.

I'm sure there are several different ways this is accomplished, so any insight would be useful.

Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Hey, sorry it took so long to see your question. Here is a paper (PDF) on the subject with diagrams.

https://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/bitstream/handle/20.500.11850/42365/eth-4572-01.pdf

The link is composed of two parts, the emitter and the receiver. The emitter captures the LF signal and up-converts it to 2.5 GHz. The obtained 2.5 GHz signal is then amplified and transmitted over the air. The receiver part of the link receives this signal and down-converts it to obtain the original LF signal. This LF signal is then amplified again and sent to a loop LF antenna which reproduces the signal that was emitted by the car in its integrity.

Edit: and here is a times article that covers the problem in one area. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/24/world/canada/toronto-car-theft-epidemic.html