Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only.
With modern vehicles increasingly relying on wireless communication systems for keyless entry, remote start, and RFID-based immobilizers, the risk of Radio Frequency (RF) exploitation has grown significantly. While these technologies offer convenience, they also create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. In particular, KeyFob hacking and the use of tools like Proxmark3 have become more widespread, especially in 2023. Below, we’ll explore how these attacks work, real-world examples, and the underlying technical mechanisms, along with a few simplified coding representations to illustrate how these hacks might be carried out.
KeyFob Hacking: An Ongoing Threat
Keyless entry systems are now a common feature in modern cars, relying on RF signals between the key fob and the vehicle. While rolling code encryption is supposed to prevent signal replay attacks, it turns out that relay attacks and replay attacks are still very effective against certain vehicles.
How Relay Attacks Work
In a relay attack, thieves use two devices—one near the car and one near the key fob (even if it's inside your house). They amplify the key's signal, tricking the car into unlocking and starting as if the fob were nearby. These attacks have become alarmingly common, particularly in 2023, when vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia Niro were frequently targeted in the UK. Using cheap relay devices, thieves could steal cars in under a minute​.​
Car thefts in the UK spiked to 130,000 in 2023, with relay attacks being a....
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