Vehicle Relay Attack Avoidance Methods Using RF Signal Strength

Gyu-Ho Kim, Kwan-Hyung Lee, Shim-Soo Kim, Ju-Min Kim

Advanced Research Part, Daedong, Seoul, The Republic of Korea.

DOI: 10.4236/cn.2013.53B2103                

Abstract

The number of passenger cars equipped with a smart key system continues to increase due to the convenience of the system. A smart key system allows the driver to enter and start a car without using a mechanical key through a wireless authentication process between the car and the key fob. Even though a smart key system has its own security scheme, it is vulnerable to the so-called relay attacks. In a relay attack, attackers with signal relaying devices enter and start a car by relaying signals from the car to the owner’s fob. In this study, a method to detect a relay attack is proposed. The signal strength is used to determine whether the signal received is from the fob or the attacker’s relaying devices. Our results show that relay attacks can be avoided by using the proposed method.

Keywords

Authentication; Relay Attack; Signal Strength; Smart Key System

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	A. I. Alrabady, “Security of Passive Access Vehicle,” Submitted to the Graduate School of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michan.
[2]	A. I. Alrabady and S. M. Mahmud, “Some Attacks against Vehicle’s Passive Entry Security Systems and Their Solutions,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 52, No. 2, March 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2003.808759
[3]	A. I. Alrabady and S. M. Mahmud, “Analysis of Attacks against the Security of Keyless-Entry Systems for Vehicles and Suggestions for Improved Designs,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol. 54, No. 1, January 2005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2004.838829
[4]	A. Francillon, B. Danev, S. Capkun, “Relay Attacks on Passive Keyless Entry and Start Systems in Modern Cars,” Department of Computer Science ETH Zurich 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
[5]	F. Stajano, F.-L. Wong and B. Christianson, “Multichannel Protocols to Prevent Relay Attack,” University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, Cambridge, United Kingdom, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore, University of Hertfordshire, School of Computer Science, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
[6]	A. Leitch, “Electronic Communication System, in Particular Access Control System for Passive Keyless Entry, as well as Method for Detecting a Relay Attack Thereon,” US Patent No. 0206989A1, 2009
[7]	R. Ghabra, Y. Luo, J. Nantz and R. O. King, “Method for Apparatus for an Anti-theft System against Radio Relay Attack in Passive Keyless Entry/Start Systems,” US Patent No. 0143500A1, 2008
[8]	R. Ghabra, N. Yakovenko and H. W. Girard, “Method and System of determining and Preventing Relay Attack for Passive Entry/Start System,” US Patent No. 0321154 A1, 2008
[9]	H. Masudaya, “Passive Entry with Anti-theft Function,” US Patent No. 0168997A1, 2005
[10]	E. Perraud and M. Burri, “Passive Response Communication System,” US Patent No. 6992568B2, 2006
[11]	C. Tieman, J. Coudre and T. P. Oman “Vehicle Security System and Method of Operation Based on a Nomadic device Location,” US Patent No. 201202.