Hacker discovers major vulnerability in GM cars, hijacks vehicle functions

As vehicles get high-tech upgrades, car hacking has become a much larger issue.

Samy Kamkar, a hacker who runs YouTube channel Applied Hacking, recently demonstrated a device which allows him to take control of a 2013 Chevrolet Volt equipped with General Motor's OnStar concierge service. The vulnerability, which theoretically impacts all OnStar-equipped vehicles with the RemoteLink mobile app, allows the hacker to take control of various vehicle functions.

Kamkar built a small $100 device with a Wi-Fi hot spot that spoofs familiar Wi-Fi networks (for example, "attwifi," commonly used at Starbucks). If a driver's phone connects to the hot spot and the RemoteLink app is then opened, the hacker will gain access to the app. Read more...