Millions of Kia Vehicles at Risk of Alarming Remote Hacking Vulnerability
In a chilling revelation, security researchers recently uncovered serious vulnerabilities in Kia’s online systems that left millions of vehicles vulnerable to remote hacking. This wasn’t just about accessing a few unimportant features. The flaws discovered could have given hackers the power to control key vehicle functions, all with a few simple steps.
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The Dangerous Exploit
Imagine this: with nothing more than your car’s license plate number, a hacker could potentially gain control of your vehicle in under 30 seconds. Alarming, right? Sam Curry, a cybersecurity researcher, alongside a team of three other experts, discovered these unsettling flaws in the Kia owners’ portal—an online system that connects vehicle owners to their cars.
The vulnerabilities not only opened a door to remote control of vehicles but also exposed a treasure trove of personal information. Details such as the car owner’s name, address, email address, and phone number could be extracted effortlessly. Perhaps even more concerning, attackers could create a second user profile without the owner ever knowing, enabling them to send commands to the vehicle like unlocking the doors or even starting the engine.
The Technical Breakdown
So how did these vulnerabilities slip through the cracks? According to Curry, the Kia owners’ website was not just a portal for checking vehicle information—it had the ability to execute internet-to-vehicle commands. This functionality was made possible through a backend reverse proxy that directed these commands to an API responsible for carrying out the actions.
Additionally, the Kia dealership infrastructure posed similar risks. After registering on the dealership site, the same request used for Kia’s owners’ portal registration could be manipulated. The researchers were able to obtain an access token, allowing them to call backend dealer APIs.
In simple terms, the system would hand over the keys to the kingdom. By exploiting these vulnerabilities, hackers could retrieve sensitive personal data and even replace the owner’s email address, making themselves the primary account holders. From there, they could send commands to the vehicle—all without raising any suspicion on the owner’s end.
A Flaw With Massive Reach
One of the most unsettling aspects of this vulnerability was its scope. Curry’s team was able to create a proof-of-concept dashboard that allowed them to type in a license plate, retrieve the owner’s personal information, and issue commands to the vehicle. According to Curry, any Kia model manufactured after 2013 was potentially at risk.
Once compromised, the hacker could track the car, manipulate features such as unlocking the doors, honking the horn, or starting the engine—all from the comfort of a keyboard.
Perhaps the most shocking part? From the owner’s perspective, there were no notifications or alerts that their vehicle had been accessed or their account altered. It was essentially a silent takeover.
Kia’s Response
Thankfully, after the vulnerabilities were reported to Kia in June 2024, the automaker acted. By mid-August, they implemented a fix to address the flaws and protect their vehicles from remote exploits. While the patch came as a relief to many, it’s a stark reminder of how connected our vehicles have become and how vulnerable they can be to cyberattacks.
What’s Next for Vehicle Security?
With more automakers integrating advanced technology and internet-based systems into their cars, the risk of cyber threats is on the rise. The Kia incident serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity in modern vehicles. As the auto industry evolves, so too must the security protocols designed to keep both cars and drivers safe from digital threats.
This episode should prompt automakers, and Kia especially, to constantly review and update their security measures. For vehicle owners, it’s crucial to stay informed, apply updates promptly, and be aware of any potential security flaws that could arise in this age of connected cars.
The digital future of cars is exciting, but it also comes with significant risks—ones that require careful attention to keep everyone on the road safe from both physical and digital threats.