Incident: Wireless Key Fob Vulnerability Exploited by RollJam Attack

Published Date: 2015-08-06

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident described in the article happened around the time the article was published, which was on 2015-08-06 [38561]. Therefore, the software failure incident occurred in August 2015.
System 1. Keeloq system by Microchip 2. Hisec chips by Texas Instruments 3. Dual Keeloq system by Microchip
Responsible Organization 1. Hacker Samy Kamkar [38561]
Impacted Organization 1. Car owners using wireless key fobs [38561]
Software Causes 1. The software cause of the failure incident was the vulnerability in the rolling codes security system used in modern cars and trucks' keyless entry systems, alarm systems, and garage door openers, which allowed the hacker to intercept and replay wireless codes [38561].
Non-software Causes 1. Lack of code expiration in the chips used by many companies like Microchip and Texas Instruments [38561].
Impacts 1. The software failure incident allowed a hacker to intercept and record wireless key commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access to vehicles and garages [38561].
Preventions 1. Implementing a system of codes that expire over short time periods, like the Dual Keeloq system, to foil interception attacks like the one demonstrated by Samy Kamkar with RollJam [38561]. 2. Upgrading the chips used in key fobs to use expiring codes or adding code expiration measures to rolling code systems to enhance security against hacking attempts [38561].
Fixes 1. Upgrading to the latest version of Keeloq's chips, such as the Dual Keeloq system, which use codes that expire over short time periods to foil the attack [38561]. 2. Implementing an additional security measure like code expiration in the rolling codes system used by car and garage door companies to prevent interception attacks like the one demonstrated by RollJam [38561].
References 1. Samy Kamkar [38561] 2. Spencer Whyte [38561] 3. Cadillac spokesperson David Caldwell [38561]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring multiple_organization <Article 38561> The software failure incident described in the article is related to a security vulnerability in wireless key fobs used in cars and garage door openers. The incident involves a hacker named Samy Kamkar who developed a device called "RollJam" to intercept and record wireless key commands, allowing unauthorized access to vehicles and garages. This incident is not specific to a single organization but rather highlights a widespread vulnerability affecting various car manufacturers and garage door opener brands. Kamkar tested the RollJam device successfully on vehicles from Nissan, Cadillac, Ford, Toyota, Lotus, Volkswagen, and Chrysler, as well as Cobra and Viper alarm systems and Genie and Liftmaster garage door openers. The vulnerability is attributed to the chips used by many companies, such as the Keeloq system by Microchip and the Hisec chips by Texas Instruments. The article also mentions that other security researchers have created similar devices, indicating that this type of software failure incident is not unique to a single organization but rather a broader industry issue [38561].
Phase (Design/Operation) design The software failure incident described in the article [38561] is related to the design phase. The failure occurred due to contributing factors introduced by system development and the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the wireless key fob systems used in modern cars and garage door openers. The hacker, Samy Kamkar, developed a gadget called "RollJam" that exploited flaws in the rolling codes security system used in these systems, allowing for interception and replay of wireless codes to gain unauthorized access. This incident highlights the importance of addressing design vulnerabilities in system development to prevent such attacks.
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system (a) The software failure incident described in the article is primarily within_system. The failure is caused by a clever radio hack developed by Samy Kamkar called "RollJam," which is a gadget designed to defeat the "rolling codes" security used in modern cars and trucks' keyless entry systems, alarm systems, and garage door openers [38561]. The RollJam device intercepts and records wireless codes from key fobs, allowing intruders to break into vehicles and garages without leaving a trace. This failure originates from within the system as it exploits vulnerabilities in the wireless key systems used by cars and garage doors.
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions, human_actions (a) The software failure incident in the article is primarily due to non-human actions, specifically a clever radio hack developed by Samy Kamkar called "RollJam." This device is designed to intercept and record wireless key commands used in keyless entry systems for cars, alarm systems, and garage door openers. The RollJam device utilizes a technique to jam signals, intercept codes, and replay them to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages [38561]. (b) However, human actions are also involved in this software failure incident as Samy Kamkar, the hacker behind RollJam, developed and deployed the device with the intention of exploiting vulnerabilities in wireless key systems used in cars and garage doors. Kamkar's actions in creating and demonstrating the RollJam device contribute to the software failure incident [38561].
Dimension (Hardware/Software) hardware, software (a) The software failure incident related to hardware can be seen in the article where a hacker named Samy Kamkar developed a gadget called "RollJam" which is a $32 radio device designed to defeat the "rolling codes" security used in modern cars and trucks' keyless entry systems, alarm systems, and garage door openers. This device intercepts and records wireless key commands, allowing the hacker to break into cars and garages without leaving a trace [38561]. (b) The software failure incident related to software can be observed in the same article where it discusses how the RollJam device exploits a vulnerability in the rolling codes security system used by most modern cars and garage door openers. The software failure lies in the fact that the rolling codes system can be bypassed by jamming the signal, intercepting the code, and replaying it to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages [38561].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) malicious (a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. The failure was caused by a hacker named Samy Kamkar who developed a gadget called "RollJam" to intercept and record wireless key commands used in keyless entry systems for cars, alarm systems, and garage door openers. The RollJam device was designed to defeat the security measures of rolling codes used in these systems, allowing intruders to break into vehicles and garages without leaving a trace. Kamkar's intention was to demonstrate the vulnerability of these systems and urge companies to upgrade their security measures to prevent such attacks in the future [38561].
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) unknown (a) The intent of the software failure incident: The software failure incident described in the article is not related to poor decisions but rather to a deliberate hacking technique developed by Samy Kamkar called "RollJam." Kamkar intentionally created this gadget to exploit vulnerabilities in the rolling codes security used in modern cars and garage door openers [38561]. (b) The intent of the software failure incident: The software failure incident was not accidental but rather a calculated effort by Samy Kamkar to demonstrate the vulnerability of wireless key fobs used in cars and garage door openers. Kamkar's creation of the RollJam device was a deliberate attempt to intercept and replay wireless codes to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages [38561].
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) unknown (a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article. Therefore, it is unknown if the failure was due to contributing factors introduced due to lack of professional competence by humans or the development organization. (b) The software failure incident related to an accidental failure is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article. Therefore, it is unknown if the failure was due to contributing factors introduced accidentally.
Duration permanent The software failure incident described in the article is more of a permanent failure rather than a temporary one. The incident involves a hacker, Samy Kamkar, using a clever radio hack with a gadget called "RollJam" to intercept and record wireless key commands for cars and garage doors [38561]. This attack method exploits a vulnerability in the rolling codes security used by most modern cars and trucks' keyless entry systems, alarm systems, and garage door openers. Kamkar's device is designed to continuously intercept and store wireless codes, allowing the attacker to access the targeted vehicle or garage at will, demonstrating a persistent and ongoing security flaw in the affected systems.
Behaviour other (a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and stops performing its intended functions. Instead, it involves a security vulnerability that allows a hacker to intercept and replay wireless codes to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garage doors [38561]. (b) omission: The software failure incident does not involve the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). Instead, it describes a method where the attacker intercepts and replays wireless codes to unlock cars and garage doors without the knowledge of the victim [38561]. (c) timing: The software failure incident is not related to the system performing its intended functions too late or too early. It is more about exploiting the timing of the victim pressing the key fob buttons to intercept and replay the wireless codes [38561]. (d) value: The software failure incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly in terms of providing incorrect values or outputs. It is about the attacker successfully replaying intercepted codes to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garage doors [38561]. (e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit the characteristics of a byzantine failure where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. Instead, it involves a deliberate attack by a hacker to exploit a security vulnerability in wireless key fobs used for cars and garage doors [38561]. (f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as a security vulnerability exploit rather than a traditional software failure like a crash, omission, timing issue, incorrect value, or byzantine behavior [38561].

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception embedded_software (a) sensor: The software failure incident described in the article is not directly related to a sensor error. Instead, it focuses on a hacker using a radio hack to intercept and record wireless key commands, bypassing the security measures in place [38561]. (b) actuator: The software failure incident does not involve a failure due to contributing factors introduced by an actuator error. The focus is on the security vulnerability of wireless key fobs and the ability of a hacker to intercept and replay wireless codes to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages [38561]. (c) processing_unit: The software failure incident does not stem from a failure introduced by a processing error. The issue highlighted in the article is the exploitation of rolling codes used in keyless entry systems, alarm systems, and garage door openers by a hacker using a device called "RollJam" to intercept and replay wireless codes [38561]. (d) network_communication: The failure in this software incident is not directly related to a failure introduced by network communication error. The focus is on the manipulation of wireless key fob signals by a hacker to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages, rather than a network communication issue [38561]. (e) embedded_software: The software failure incident is related to a failure introduced by embedded software error. The hacker in the article developed a device called "RollJam" that exploits vulnerabilities in the rolling codes used by keyless entry systems, alarm systems, and garage door openers, demonstrating a flaw in the embedded software of these systems [38561].
Communication link_level The software failure incident described in the article [38561] is related to the communication layer of the cyber-physical system that failed at the link_level. The failure was due to contributing factors introduced by the wireless physical layer. The hacker, Samy Kamkar, used a clever radio hack with a gadget called "RollJam" to intercept and record wireless key commands, exploiting vulnerabilities in the wireless communication protocols used in keyless entry systems for cars and garage door openers. Kamkar's attack involved jamming the wireless signals and replaying intercepted codes to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages, highlighting a security flaw in the communication layer of these systems.
Application TRUE The software failure incident described in the article [38561] is related to the application layer of the cyber physical system. The failure was caused by a hacker named Samy Kamkar using a clever radio hack to intercept and record wireless key commands, allowing unauthorized access to vehicles and garages. This incident involved exploiting vulnerabilities in the wireless key fob systems used in modern cars and garage door openers, which can be considered as a failure at the application layer due to the introduction of bugs and security flaws in the system.

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence harm, property, theoretical_consequence The consequence of the software failure incident described in the article is related to the potential harm and property impact on individuals due to the vulnerability exposed by the RollJam device created by Samy Kamkar. The article discusses how the RollJam device can be used by hackers to intercept and replay wireless codes used in key fobs for cars and garage door openers, potentially allowing unauthorized access to vehicles and garages [38561]. This vulnerability could lead to harm if exploited by malicious individuals to gain unauthorized access to personal property, such as cars and garages, which could result in theft or other forms of harm to individuals. Additionally, the article mentions that millions of vehicles and garage doors may be vulnerable to this attack, highlighting the widespread potential impact on property security [38561].
Domain transportation The software failure incident described in the article [38561] is related to the transportation industry. Specifically, the incident involves a security vulnerability in the keyless entry systems of modern cars and trucks, as well as in their alarm systems and garage door openers. The hacker, Samy Kamkar, developed a device called "RollJam" that exploits this vulnerability to intercept and replay wireless codes used in key fobs to gain unauthorized access to vehicles and garages. Kamkar tested the device successfully on various vehicle brands, indicating a vulnerability in the transportation sector.

Sources

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