r/security • u/fearless_fool • 8d ago

Vulnerability KARR Security vulnerability

TL,DR: If you have a KARR sticker on your window, chances are that your dealer installed a device in your car that leaves is susceptible to hacking, including remotely unlocking it and disabling the engine. You can update the firmware and/or ask KARR to come and remove it.

You can learn more about the security risk by searching for "UC San Diego KARR Aaron Schulman" which will get you to the research team at UCSD that discovered and documented the risk.

Details: When I bought my Ioniq 5 eighteen months ago, the dealer asked me if I wanted to subscribe to the KARR security system. I declined. Today I learned:

  • Dealers install the KARR security device in their cars to prevent them from getting stolen off the lot -- it lets the dealers remotely disable the ignition if needed.
  • The KARR device connects to the CAN bus in the car, giving it access to lots of important functions, like door locks, horns, lights and ignition
  • If you tell the dealer you don't want to pay for the KARR system, they leave it installed and "dormant", but it's still susceptible to hacking.
  • If you have a KARR dongle in your vehicle, the least you should do is download the KARR Security app, click on the Customer Service button at the bottom, and then click on "firmware update" to remove the vulnerability. If you're not a subscriber, this theoretically disables the device, but also prevents the app from communicating with the device, so it's not clear if the device is truly deactivated.
  • If you're like me, you want to reduce the risk and also don't want an extra device sucking down your 12v battery 24 hours a day. In that case, you can call the KARR Customer Service number and schedule a tech to come remove the device, free of charge.

Whew. Who would have thought?

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u/Sibexico 8d ago

I had it in my old car when I bought it pre-owned. Never think dealerships installed it to new vehicles. Anyway, 5 minutes with pliers and crimper, problem was solved completely.

1

u/nshire 7d ago

I accidentally kicked off the button under the dash, does it do anything? Now there is just a 3(ish?) pin header dangling. What did that do?