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Hackers Could Have Remotely Controlled Kia Cars Using Just a License Plate




----- Here’s What Happened: 


Imagine walking out to your car, only to find it’s honking, unlocked, or even started—all without you touching a thing. That’s the kind of nightmare Kia owners narrowly avoided, thanks to researchers who discovered vulnerabilities that could have given hackers remote control over vehicles using nothing but a license plate number.

What Went Wrong?

Cybersecurity researchers found flaws in Kia’s systems that affected almost all models manufactured after 2013 including my 2015 Kia Rondo. These vulnerabilities allowed hackers to control key car functions, like unlocking doors, starting the engine, and even honking the horn—all within 30 seconds. Even more alarming, this didn’t require a Kia Connect subscription. If your car had the hardware, it was fair game.

How the Hack Worked

The problem wasn’t with the cars themselves but with the dealer infrastructure used to activate vehicles. Here’s how attackers could pull it off:

  1. Create Fake Access: Hackers exploited Kia’s dealer API system to create fake accounts and generate access tokens.
  2. Steal Sensitive Data: Using these tokens, they could retrieve private details like the car owner’s name, phone number, email, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
  3. Take Over the Car: With just four HTTP requests, attackers could make themselves a “secondary user” on the vehicle, giving them control without the owner’s knowledge.

What Made It Worse?

The car owners wouldn’t even know they were hacked. No alerts, no notifications. A hacker could enter a license plate number into their custom-built tool, pull the vehicle’s VIN, and start sending commands—unlocking doors, starting the car, or blasting the horn—all while the owner was none the wiser.

The Good News: It’s Fixed

Thankfully, after researchers responsibly disclosed the issue in June 2024, Kia patched the vulnerabilities by August 2024. So far, there’s no evidence that these flaws were exploited in real-life attacks.

Why It Matters

As cars become smarter and more connected, these kinds of vulnerabilities are a wake-up call for the automotive industry. Cyberattacks on vehicles are no longer just a futuristic fear—they’re a real threat. Manufacturers need to treat cars like the computers they’ve become, prioritizing cybersecurity to keep drivers safe.

The next time you’re behind the wheel of your high-tech ride, remember: it’s not just a car anymore—it’s a moving target for hackers.

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