Some electric models from Hyundai and Kia, namely the Ioniq 5 and EV6, are victims of a new hacking method. Using a simple device that looks exactly like a Game Boy, thieves can unlock these vehicles in just a few seconds.
For a few years now, the reputation of Hyundai and Kia cars has taken a big hit. Not for mechanical, fuel consumption or other reasons, but for security questions. Remember, in 2022, a new method to force the vehicles of these two brands surfaced on social networks and in particular on TikTok.
This technique (popularized by the famous Kia Challenge on the Chinese platform) consists of force access to the ignition switch by removing the steering column cover. With a simple USB cableit was then possible to rotate the barrel to start the engine. This method also allows the steering lock to be deactivated, giving the thief full control of the vehicle.
Born in Milwaukee, United States, under the influence of a group of thieves nicknamed the Kia Boyzthis trend then developed in many other American cities, but also in France and other countries. In just two years, thefts of Hyundai and Kia manufactured between 2015 and 2019 have exploded, to the point that some municipalities have decided to sue the two manufacturers. They accuse them of not having equipped their vehicles with sufficiently robust anti-theft security systems.
Electric Kia and Hyundai face new threat
However, it was thought that owners of recent Hyundai and Kia vehicles, especially electric models like the Ioniq 5 and EV6, were safe from theft. Unfortunately for them, this is not the case. As reported by our colleagues at InsideEVs, The number of thefts involving these models has recently skyrocketed, particularly in the United States.
Concretely, thieves with rather substantial means have decided to attack these vehicles, sold as a reminder from €46,700 (for the Ioniq 5) and from €73,000 (for the EV9). To summarize, They use a device similar to a Game BoyNintendo’s famous portable console.
This “Game Boy” lets you open cars in seconds
This device, known as the SOS Key Toolemulates signals from key fobs from various manufacturers. Put on sale in June 2020 by a Bulgarian company (since removed, but still findable on the Dark Web and under the counter) at prohibitive price of 20,000 eurosthe Key Tool scans and records the signal coming from the car. Via an onboard algorithm, the device tests all possible combinations in a few seconds until you come across the correct opening code.
If it takes longer, just stand a few meters away from the car and let the SOS Key Tool do its job. The device then vibrates to let the user know that it has found the right signal. Best of all, the machine can store in memory all the codes recovered so far…
Once the code is found, the car will consider the device as a legitimate key and will therefore unlock naturally. The vehicle can then be started normally, as if you were in possession of the real key card. Once on board, the thief can calmly disconnect the connectivity modules, which will prevent the vehicle from being located with the geolocation functionality integrated into the mobile application.
A very effective, but expensive method
According to several American dealers of Ioniq 5 and EV6, these cars can indeed be stolen in just a few seconds. The same goes for the Kia Niro, Forte and K5. Note that the two manufacturers are not the only ones to be victims of this type of device. Similar tools can be found on the Dark Web, capable of force key codes for recent vehicles from the brands Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota.
At present, there is no real protection for users against this method. One can only console oneself with the particularly high price of these devices, which cost between $16,000 and $30,000 according to research conducted by InsideEVs. But while the initial outlay may seem substantial, the sum invested by thieves can very quickly be profitable after the theft of one or more Ioniq 5 or EV6…
Source : InsideEVs
