A flaw in the code of Hyundai and Kia cars allows thieves to take your car with just a USB cable. Update the software immediately.
The car manufacturers Hyundai and KIA are releasing extraordinary, a information software for many of their car models, which are affected by an easy hack that makes it possible to steal them with a USB cable.
The way cars are stolen involves those that have a push-button start instead of a key, and it has gone viral in America through a related video on TikTok where real thieves demonstrate how they can grab them.
In fact, hacking these cars has been promoted since July 2022 on TikTok as a "challenge", with videos showing how to remove the steering column cover to reveal a hidden USB-A socket that can be used to connect car.
The problem lies in a logical flaw that allows you to bypass the immobilizer that verifies the authenticity of the key code in the car's ECU. This allows thieves to turn on the ignition and start the car using any USB cable.
The impact of the so-called 'Kia Challenge' was so great in Los Angeles, the two brands had a sharp increase in thefts in 2022 by 85% in thefts compared to the previous year, while Chicago reported a 900% increase.
The United States Department of Transportation (NHTSA) published a post yesterday explaining that the security flaw affects about 3,8 millions Hyundai vehicles and 4,5 million KIA cars. The agency also said these hacks resulted in at least 14 confirmed traffic accidents and eight deaths.
After all this the Hyundai car manufacturer she said in a statement: «Σε απάντηση στις αυξανόμενες κλοπές που στοχεύουν τα οχήματά με μπουτόν και παρακάμτοντας αντικλεπτικές συσκευές στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες, η Hyundai εισάγει μια δωρεάν upgrade software to prevent vehicles from starting during a theft scheme that was spread on TikTok and other social media channels."
The software upgrade will be provided free of charge for all affected vehicles, which are:
2018-2022 Accent
2011-2016 Elantra
2017-2020 Elantra
2021-2022 Elantra
2018-2020 Elantra GT
2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
2018-2022 Kona
2020-2021 Palisade
2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
2013-2022 Santa Fe
2019 Santa Fe XL
2011-2014 Sonata
2015-2019 Sonata
2011-2022 Tucson
2012-2017 Veloster
2019-2021 Veloster
2020-2021 Venue
The announcement explains that the software upgrade will only allow ignition if the key fob is used to unlock the vehicle's doors.
Hyundai will also supply customers with a window sticker that will make it clear to would-be thieves that the car's software has been upgraded, to counter social media-promoted hacking by discouraging any attempt.
KIA has also promised to start rolling out its software upgrade soon, but has yet to release any announcements with specific dates or details.
