Replay attacks

Security gap: central locking system

A central locking system, or ‘CLS’ for short, should be secure. At least that’s what you think. But is it? Let’s go back a bit. In the past, reports of vehicle break-ins from motorhome owners abounded. The losses due to stolen valuables were in part immense, but the only problem was: there were no signs of forcible or violent entry into the vehicle. Did the owners possibly forget to lock their vehicles? Police and insurers could at least come to this conclusion. But the reality is: resourceful car burglars help themselves to sophisticated electronics.

Let’s consider the wireless key of the Fiat Ducato and identically built models from Citroën and Peugeot as well as that of the Iveco. When the unlock button is pressed, the wireless key sends a radio signal to the vehicle’s electronics. The only problem with vehicles built in 2006 to 2018 is: the key sends an identical signal every time. A simple laptop and software available on the internet are now enough to record this signal and, you guessed it, play it back at a later time – whenever the intruder wants. He or she can store the unlock signal under the number plate and gain access to the vehicle at any time. A horror scenario.

You can watch YouTube videos directly on our website. We would like to point out that personal data (e.g. IP address) will be transmitted to YouTube in the process. Data privacy.

Here you can adjust your cookie settings

Since year of manufacture 2019, standard wireless keys have become somewhat more secure on the factory side – but safe.lock also greatly optimises the security standard for these keys. The THITRONIK® development engineers at have addressed this problem and  developed a capable module to avert replay attacks: the safe. lock module. This module can be added as an autonomous system to any of the vehicles named above. If you want to lock a vehicle securely and protect it with an alarm system, you can rely on the WiPro III safe.lock – the safe.lock function is already integrated.

The following vehicles are affected by the security gap:

• Fiat Ducato
• Peugeot Boxer
• Citroën Jumper
• Iveco Daily (all vehicles from year of manufacture 2006 up to and including 2018)

safe.lock

This function is more than just comfort. safe.lock effectively protects motorhomes on Ducato (or similar) bases from replay attacks. Owners can rest assured that their vehicles are secured in the best possible way.