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I call bad reporting. Or a researcher who doesn't know what they are talking about, and a reporter too lazy to check with a secondary source.
There are physical disconnects between the networking used to handle control of the car, and the network used for modern stereo systems.
They are two separate networks, and the car manufactures are well aware of how much of a threat these systems can be.
The only wireless systems I know of that tie into the control network for cars are the tire pressure sensors. And the most that someone can do is spoof a low air pressure warning (this has been demonstrated).
But according to the article someone can compromise a phone (not that unusual), use the phone to issue commands to the stereo (ok, I could see someone doing this), and then what?
There are NO connections between the steering, gas/brake, engine, etc and the stereo. The worst they could do is mess with the onboard navigation (and I see that level of exploit as iffy at best).
Are there third party systems (I think zipcar uses one) that bridge these networks? yes, but I doubt that any of them are widespread enough to present a profitable target.
ETA: And on a second read through of the article it looks like they did use one of those systems (onstar?) to unlock the doors.
-Terry
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If that was really true and possible, the Mythbusters' would have a much easier time of remote controlling a vehicle.
CattyNebulart
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Rod H Wrote:If that was really true and possible, the Mythbusters' would have a much easier time of remote controlling a vehicle.
There is a gap between possible and easy. IIRC one car at least didn't do proper validation on tire-pressure monitor input which allowed some things (such as making the engine light/icon on the dashbord blink) but no control over the car.
As the network becomes more integrated (and with OnStar and such it has to be) these oversights will naturally lead to even worse defects.
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The impression that I got was that, while they couldn't drive the car remotely, they could effectively give it a seizure. If a car's steering, acceleration, and brakes started spasming while on a highway, well, I'm sure you can all imagine.
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