A Device Hidden in Cars Across the US Leaves Them Vulnerable to Hacking and Paralysis. Patch It Now
Security researchers have discovered a critical vulnerability in the KARR Security System, an aftermarket car alarm installed in millions of vehicles across the US. The flaw allows hackers to remotely control vehicle functions, prompting an urgent call for owners to update their device firmware.
Why it matters
This highlights significant cybersecurity risks in the automotive industry, particularly regarding third-party hardware installed without the owner's direct knowledge.
That's the disturbing discovery of a team of security researchers at UC San Diego, who found that a model of aftermarket car alarm known as the KARR Security System, installed in more than 2 million vehicles across the US by their estimate, can let any hacker within Bluetooth range send radio commands to silently unlock the car at will, turn off its alarm, honk the car's horn or flash its lights, or even disable its ignition and leave a driver stranded.
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