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Researcher says can hack GM's OnStar app, open vehicle, start engine
Reuters ^ | July 30, 2015 | Jim Finkle and Bernie Woodall

Posted on 07/30/2015 1:55:36 PM PDT by Zakeet

A researcher is advising drivers to halt the use of a mobile app for General Motors Co's (GM.N) OnStar vehicle communications system, saying hackers can exploit a security flaw in the product to remotely unlock cars and start engines.

"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.

[Snip]

Representatives from the agency discussed the issue with GM, said the flaw could involve doors and engine start-stop, but does not involve other critical safety systems, according to a person familiar with those discussions.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: computing; crime; gm; hackers

Fortunately, the hackers can only steal your Government Motors vehicle ... and not wreck it!

1 posted on 07/30/2015 1:55:36 PM PDT by Zakeet
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To: Zakeet

2 posted on 07/30/2015 1:57:35 PM PDT by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: Zakeet

Uh, if they shut it off while you’re driving it just might cause a wreck. :>} Give me a ‘69 Hemi RoadRunner and no computer in sight. There should be several of them here in Reno next week for Hot August Nights. WOO HOO!


3 posted on 07/30/2015 2:13:54 PM PDT by rktman (Served in the Navy to protect the rights of those that want to take some of mine away. Odd, eh?)
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To: nascarnation

I have (yet another_ dumb question. What if the GM owner/driver never activated the OnStar in the first place?


4 posted on 07/30/2015 2:20:03 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: Zakeet

It sounds like he is accessing the remote starter features. They provide for locking and unlocking doors as well as starting car. These features can be accessed through cell phones. In order to drive remote started car a key still needs to be inserted.


5 posted on 07/30/2015 2:21:01 PM PDT by Raycpa
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To: Raycpa

“In order to drive remote started car a key still needs to be inserted.”

If somebody turns it on in your garage then it could kill the occupants of the house.


6 posted on 07/30/2015 2:22:56 PM PDT by Gen.Blather
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To: BenLurkin

This is a pretty deep question.

OnStar came out in 1997, so it’s been around quite a while.
And there are a bunch of different versions (like any consumer hardware/software, upgrades are ongoing).

My own view is that pretty much ANYTHING electronic can be hacked, so if you want to be completely immune, only drive pre-OBD vehicles.


7 posted on 07/30/2015 2:25:39 PM PDT by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: Gen.Blather

Another great reason to have CO detectors!


8 posted on 07/30/2015 2:26:43 PM PDT by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: Zakeet

The “self-driving” paradigm ahead is going to be funny for sure, and traffic is already getting funny for those of us watching it from a distance and refusing to participate.

[Roadster builders: consider a little more Nascar type tubing design around cockpits and crush structure on the sides.]


9 posted on 07/30/2015 2:35:57 PM PDT by familyop (We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of corruption smelled around the planet.)
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To: Gen.Blather

Possibly but you would need to keep repeating as their is a limit to how long the car remote lets car run before switching off.


10 posted on 07/30/2015 2:40:46 PM PDT by Raycpa
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To: familyop

Turn used NASCARS into Stock Cars.


11 posted on 07/30/2015 2:42:48 PM PDT by Paladin2 (Ive given up on aphostrophys and spell chek on my current device...)
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To: rktman
Give me a ‘69 Hemi RoadRunner and no computer in sight.

There are bills in committee on the Hill requiring ALL vehicles be able to talk to one another wirelessly by 2030(?).

There's been plenty said, but most feel they'll never make it out of committee. That's been said about a lot of things, though.

12 posted on 07/30/2015 2:54:17 PM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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