Researchers have discovered a vulnerability in Honda vehicles that could allow hackers to unlock doors and start the cars remotely. The security flaw has been named “RollingPWN,” and it affects all Honda models released between 2012 and 2022, according to the researchers. Honda is none too pleased with the findings; the Japanese carmaker claims the flaw is “old news,” as VICE reports.
With Honda being a very popular car worldwide, hackers have identified how to unlock and remote start cars wirelessly. Experts believe it effects all Honda model cars made from 2012 to present day. The Honda’s made during that time frame are subject to have a “rolling code mechanism” that would assign different codes to the owner every time they would go and use their key fob. The hackers have been able to go back and relay the old codes used by the previous owners allowing them to gain access the vehicle. The hackers could be working together in a team to find a Honda, unlock it, and then starting the car so that the person can steal the car without even having an accessible key. One of the solutions was to have a recall on all of the Honda’s effected by this, but with so many Honda’s using rolling codes it would just make it seem unreasonable.
Honda recently had a similar flaw to the system this past March, but in that scenario it dealt with fixed codes rather than rolling codes. Honda later responded and said those allegations were false because those cars used rolling codes. Even after Honda’s technical support team realized the issue, they were pretty much told to “kick rocks” rather than to come up with a solution to stop these hackers from remotely unlocking and starting cars.
