Researcher says he can hack GM’s OnStar app, open vehicle, start engine

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://venturebeat.com/2015/07/30/researcher-says-can-hack-gms-onstar-app-open-vehicle-start-engine/

By Bernie Woodall in Detroit
and Jim Finkle in Boston
Reuters
July 30, 2015

BOSTON/DETROIT (Reuters) – A researcher is advising drivers not to use a 
mobile app for the General Motors OnStar vehicle communications system, 
saying hackers can exploit a security flaw in the product to unlock cars 
and start engines remotely.

“White-hat” hacker Samy Kamkar posted a video on Thursday saying he had 
figured out a way to “locate, unlock and remote-start” vehicles by 
intercepting communications between the OnStar RemoteLink mobile app and 
the OnStar service.

Kamkar said he plans to provide technical details on the hack next week in 
Las Vegas at the Def Con conference, where tens of thousands of hacking 
aficionados will gather to learn about new cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Kamkar released the video a week after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recalled 
some 1.4 million vehicles after hacking experts demonstrated a more 
serious vulnerability in the Jeep Cherokee. That bug allowed them to gain 
remote control of a Jeep traveling at 70 miles per hour on a public 
highway.

[...]

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