Security researchers can unlock cars with a text
updated 03:45 pm EDT, Thu July 28, 2011
Car systems such as OnStar, Sync, more hacked
Security researchers from iSEC Partners claim to have found a way to unlock vehicles from four large manufacturers using a cellphone and a text message. Don Bailey and Mathew Solnik can access remote control and telemetry systems from BMW (Assist), GM (OnStar), Ford (Sync), and Hyundai (Blue Link). They reverse-engineered access using off-the-shelf parts and a few hours of their time.
They found open wireless networks by posing as the GSM or CDMA mobile network servers. The fear is that the duo can apply their expertise to other systems that rely on data networks for control, including traffic control systems, 3G security cameras, home automation systems and SCADA systems. SCADA is used in industrial applications like power generation, water treatment and manufacturing, among others.
Bailey and Solnik are giving the car makers a chance to fix their vulnerabilities and will present their findings at the Black Hat conference next week. [via SlashGear]
