Modern cars use computers to control everything from entertainment systems to vital components like the brakes and throttle, yet few feature anything except the most basic security countermeasures to protect against hackers. What could happen if automakers don’t adopt 21st century protection schemes for their cars’ technology?
To answer that question, two researchers at the Black Hat annual conference of hackers and security professionals in Las Vegas demonstrated that it was possible to unlock the doors and start the engine of a Subaru Outback using what they termed “war texting” sent from their Android smartphone.
The researchers declined to detail their methods until manufactures have a chance to upgrade their systems, but they did reveal that they set up a GSM network and used the “war texting” to intercept password authentication messages sent over the cell network between a server and the car. Alarmingly, they also stated that the same method could be used to control similar systems used in traffic lights, security cameras and power grids.
“I could care less if I could unlock a car door. Its cool. It’s sexy,” said Don Bailey, a senior security consultant at iSEC partners and one of the men who hacked the Subaru. “But the same system is used to control phone, power, traffic systems. I think that’s the real threat.”
References
1.’Hackers steal Subaru…’ view
