Keyfob Presence Verification for Relay Attack Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive keyless entry and start systems in vehicles are vulnerable to relay attacks, allowing unauthorized access and start of the vehicle by tricking the system into believing the keyfob is within proximity, despite it being elsewhere.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes sending a vehicle challenge signal to the keyfob, validating its presence within the vehicle, and providing a notification via a telematics unit if the keyfob is absent after the vehicle has started, using a vehicle transceiver and keyfob transceiver to ensure the keyfob's presence is verified within the passenger compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passive keyless entry and start systems are implemented for automated entry and start, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to relay attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs presence verification of the keyfob within the passenger compartment before allowing vehicle operation. This preliminary check ensures the keyfob is actually inside the vehicle rather than being relayed from a remote location, preventing relay attacks while maintaining automated entry and start functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and verifies the keyfob's presence within the passenger compartment during vehicle operation. This feedback mechanism detects when the keyfob is absent (indicating a relay attack) and triggers appropriate security responses, thereby maintaining security while enabling automated operation.
2Productivity
If proximity-based automated start is enabled, then productivity is improved, but security risk increases due to relay attack vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The system verifies keyfob presence within the passenger compartment before enabling vehicle start. This preliminary verification ensures that the automated start function only activates when the keyfob is genuinely present inside the vehicle, eliminating relay attack vulnerability while preserving productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous presence verification during vehicle operation. This feedback loop monitors whether the keyfob remains within the passenger compartment and can detect relay attacks in real-time, allowing the system to maintain automated start functionality while protecting against security risks.
3Ease of operation
If the system accepts remote keyfob signals for vehicle operation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of keyfob location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements location-specific verification by checking whether the keyfob is within the passenger compartment rather than merely within general proximity of the vehicle. This localized verification approach maintains ease of remote operation while improving measurement precision by confirming the keyfob's specific location inside the vehicle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances security by preventing unauthorized vehicle operation and providing timely notifications to the user or authorities in case of theft or accidental keyfob left outside the vehicle, thereby reducing the risk of relay attacks.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle transceiver (VT) carried by the vehicle and a portable keyfob... sending a vehicle challenge signal from the VT; receiving from the keyfob a valid first response to the vehicle challenge signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing a notification following a passive, keyless start of a vehicle when a keyfob for the vehicle is not within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Where a motor is started using a passive keyless start (PKS) system having a keyfob transceiver within the keyfob and a vehicle transceiver (VT) within the vehicle, the absence of the keyfob may be determined by the failure to receive an accurate response signal from the keyfob transceiver following the transmission of a vehicle challenge signal from the vehicle transceiver. Upon this determination, a notification may be provided directly or indirectly to the vehicle user via a wireless carrier system.