A group of hackers uncovered a security vulnerability in Kia models that are connected to the internet. The story, reported by 1prime.ru with Wired as the source, explains that the flaw allowed control of certain vehicle functions from outside the vehicle. The disclosure places a spotlight on how quickly embedded telematics systems can become a risk when not properly safeguarded. The tone of the report underscores a broader worry shared by security researchers: vehicles are increasingly software platforms that depend on cloud and mobile interfaces as much as they do on mechanical engineering.
In June, researchers demonstrated that cars ranging from a 2014 Kia Sportage to a 2025 Carnival could be reached using only the car’s license plate. The demonstration showed that attackers could remotely activate a range of functions, including door locks, lights, or engine start, depending on how the connected systems were configured. The implication is clear: license plate based access is a weak link in the telematics chain, and the test revealed vulnerabilities that extended across nearly a decade of Kia models. The report, drawing on Wired via 1prime.ru, emphasizes how quickly such a breach could be executed.
Analysts traced the weakness to the Kia Connect owner portal, the infotainment and telematics service designed to provide remote access to certain features and data. Tests suggested that exposed capabilities could be reached within roughly 30 seconds, and the flaw appeared to be present regardless of whether the vehicle carried an active Kia Connect subscription. In practical terms, this meant that a vehicle owner without special account privileges could still be exposed to unauthorized control in a short window. The report connects these findings to broader debates about the balance between convenience and security in connected car ecosystems.
Personal data tied to vehicle owners also surfaced during the vulnerability period. The publication notes that the automaker has since addressed and fixed the problems described, though the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly personal information can be at risk when a digital portal is misconfigured. Consumers are reminded that any exposure can have downstream consequences, from privacy concerns to potential fraud, and that manufacturers should maintain rigorous monitoring and rapid patch processes.
Before these cybersecurity issues surfaced, Moscow’s Metropolitan Transport Department reported a marked change in the urban crime landscape. In the January through August 2024 period, the number of car thefts and related burglaries declined noticeably, a trend recorded by city authorities amid ongoing investments in security.
Officials stated that burglaries and car thefts fell by about 20 percent, with 380 cases logged in the first eight months of 2024. The department described the period as a dramatic contrast to the previous year, noting that the drop represented roughly 90 percent less activity than the same timeframe a year earlier. The figures align with other indicators of rising public safety in the capital and reflect the impact of coordinated enforcement and public safety campaigns.
Maxim Liksutov, head of Moscow’s Department of Transport, attributed the reduction in theft and carjacking to the city’s data center, which includes robust photo and video recording systems. He said the enhanced surveillance infrastructure helped drive a nineteenfold decrease in such incidents since 2012, illustrating how data-driven policing can complement traditional security measures.
Earlier, Jan Heizer, the vice president of the National Automobile Association, commented that returning a stolen vehicle to its owner in Russia is often not feasible, but measures exist to deter theft. He noted that criminals tend to avoid cars with distinctive characteristics. A unique design, such as custom airbrushing or other visible markers, can reduce a vehicle’s attractiveness to thieves. Heizer also urged drivers to ensure they carry adequate insurance as part of a broader risk-management approach.
Earlier coverage indicated shifts in Russia’s car theft patterns, with thieves increasingly targeting Chinese-made cars. The trend highlighted how criminal activity adapts to market changes and vehicle features, reinforcing the need for ongoing vigilance by manufacturers, insurers, and owners alike.