Millions of Vehicles Could Be Hacked and Tracked Thanks to a Simple Website Bug

[Dude]

Interesting article

Wired Magazine: Millions of Vehicles Could Be Hacked and Tracked Thanks to a Simple Website Bug

https://www.wired.com/story/kia-web-vulnerability-vehicle-hack-track/

(Note: I do not know of any specific applicability to any Ford Model however the article does mention Kia, Honda, Infiniti, Nissan, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Genesis, BMW, Rolls Royce, and Ferrari as well as Toyota)

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[Chiefthepup]

“ By exploiting that vulnerability and building their own custom app to send commands to target cars, they were able to scan virtually any internet-connected Kia vehicle’s license plate and within seconds gain the ability to track that car’s location, unlock the car, honk its horn, or start its ignition at will.”
That’s actually insane. I always have this unhealthy fear that I’ll accidentally remote start my bronco when it’s being worked on at the dealership and it definitely makes me wonder if mechanics worry about that as well/how long til it happens. Mid oil change and a remote start happens with zero oil in the engine.
Interesting read!

 

[Dude]

I always have this unhealthy fear that I’ll accidentally remote start my bronco when it’s being worked on at the dealership…

Didn’t think of that… I wonder if Ford mechanics can easily disable the vehicles they are working on
I’ll have to ask next time I get the oil changed

for the DIY owners … their kids or spouse could do the same remote start ?

 

[magicbus]

This is a concern I have for my Rivian because it is so completely connected - which is also part of the fun of owning and driving it. Unfortunately it is in the body shop (coming home soon) and they have been trained to set it to In Service mode. Pretty much all I can do is monitor it's location.

 

[RushMan]

“ By exploiting that vulnerability and building their own custom app to send commands to target cars, they were able to scan virtually any internet-connected Kia vehicle’s license plate and within seconds gain the ability to track that car’s location, unlock the car, honk its horn, or start its ignition at will.”
That’s actually insane. I always have this unhealthy fear that I’ll accidentally remote start my bronco when it’s being worked on at the dealership and it definitely makes me wonder if mechanics worry about that as well/how long til it happens. Mid oil change and a remote start happens with zero oil in the engine.
Interesting read!

I've disabled remote start in the Infotainment screen. WHY?
Attached garage. I have no need to remote start when home. If traveling, I can re-enable remote start. i'll probably never use it. In cold, snowy weather, I start the car before swiping snow and scraping windows. That's usually sufficient warm- up.

 

[Chiefthepup]

Didn’t think of that… I wonder if Ford mechanics can easily disable the vehicles they are working on
I’ll have to ask next time I get the oil changed

for the DIY owners … their kids or spouse could do the same remote start ?

Like last time they had mine for a couple days, just out of curiosity I realized I could see its location through the app and tell if it was in the back parking lot or in a bay or even see if they had test driven it based off the odometer on the app and every time I opened it I was like dang my thumb is a slip away from starting it and it’s in a bay that seems crazy lol
That’s very true about the diy owners perspective as well !

 

[Sojourner]

Speaking of potential problems/issues, let's add to the fun our over-connected cars give us (sarc):

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/09/ford-seeks-patent-for-conversation-based-advertising

 

[Jenma]

I don't think it will remote start with the hood up. Tried once. Try yourself and let us know.

 

[Bucko]

I've disabled remote start in the Infotainment screen. WHY?
Attached garage. I have no need to remote start when home. If traveling, I can re-enable remote start. i'll probably never use it. In cold, snowy weather, I start the car before swiping snow and scraping windows. That's usually sufficient warm- up.

Gee, what did folks do back in the 60's and 70's?

I guess they froze to death not being able to remotely start their vehicle in cold weather.

 

[RushMan]

Gee, what did folks do back in the 60's and 70's?

I guess they froze to death not being able to remotely start their vehicle in cold weather.

I know that was sarcasm, but I'll answer anyway. In the 60's, Dad started the car while he and we kids brushed off the snow. He scraped the windows.
In the 70's, start the car, get out the snow brush and scraper. Same as I do now 50 years later.

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