Smart Headlamp Wiring Used for Direct Access Car Theft: Automotive Security Experts Uncover New Method

With the advancement of technology, car thieves are finding new ways to steal cars without ever having to physically break into them. One of the most popular techniques is the use of the vehicle CAN bus. The CAN bus is a system found in most modern cars that enables various components to communicate with each other. While it was originally designed to improve vehicle performance, it has now become a tool for car thieves to gain control of a car’s functions remotely. This article delves into how thieves use the vehicle CAN bus to steal cars and what car owners can do to protect themselves from this modern form of theft.


According to experts in automotive security, thieves have found a new method of car theft by accessing a vehicle’s system bus through the wiring of a smart headlamp. The discovery was made after a Toyota RAV4 was stolen from a tech guru who found suspicious damage to the front wing and headlight housing. Investigations revealed that the thieves executed a Controller Area Network (CAN) injection attack, which involves accessing the car’s network and introducing fake messages that successfully unlock the vehicle and disable the engine immobilizer. The crooks broke open a headlamp and used its connection to the bus to send messages to steal the vehicle. The common factor among the faults discovered was the CAN bus. This theft method comes as the automotive industry develops more sophisticated tech systems for their vehicles, which hackers continue to abuse for their own ends.


In conclusion, car theft is becoming more advanced and sophisticated as technology advances. As we have learned, thieves can now easily hack into a car’s CAN bus system and gain access to the vehicle’s functionalities without a key. But as car owners and manufacturers become more aware of these threats, there are steps that can be taken to prevent car theft. It is important to be vigilant about car security, always park in well-lit areas, and ensure that your car’s software and hardware are updated regularly. With advances in technology also come advances in security, and it is up to us to stay one step ahead of the criminals.