GM's OnStar System Hacked

GM's OnStar System Hacked 404

Posted by michael on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:31PM from the think-outside-the-box dept.

Makarand writes "According to this Mercury News article users of GM's OnStar system are finding that they can modify their OnStar unit to make it work with commercially available mapping software after disconnecting it from the OnStar network. Websites and message boards are rife with step-by-step instructions to personalize OnStar's navigational and communications components. When a driver requests directions from OnStar his GPS data is routed over an analog cellular network to OnStar computers and the directions are read back to the driver on the same network. The price for this service is around $400 each year. Those who tap into their OnStar systems pay no such fees."

GM's OnStar System Hacked

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Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:37PM (#7813209)

When your arm gets cut off in your next auto accident, who will call for the ambulance?!

possible new slashdot trolling technique? (Score:5, Funny)

by Savatte ( 111615 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:42PM (#7813246) Homepage Journal

hacking somone's onstar and sending them to the physical location of the goatse.cx server.

The 1337 kidz call it (Score:4, Funny)

by NoData ( 9132 ) writes: <<moc.oohay> <ta> <_ataDoN_>> on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:42PM (#7813247)

0wn3dStar

Onstar DELETED! Where is THE CHEAT? (Score:3, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:43PM (#7813258)

Maybe they can call the new system "Homestar." I'd suggest "Strongbad" but that would probably not be very popular.

FBI (Score:2, Funny)

by Leroy_Brown242 ( 683141 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:43PM (#7813259) Homepage Journal

First the FBI [slashdot.org], now this! You can't buy this sort of publicity!

Violation of OnStar license agreement... (Score:2, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:48PM (#7813293)

...will result in discharge of airbag.

Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

by vasqzr ( 619165 ) writes: <vasqzr@noSpaM.netscape.net> on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:52PM (#7813322)

Not if you've hacked your car and it's not connected to OnStar anymore....

Re:Slashdot Effect Counter As we speak ... (Score:5, Funny)

by Rosco P. Coltrane ( 209368 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:53PM (#7813323)

When I went in the Site counter was

0000032

Remember, it's a site dedicated to cars. They just rolled back the counter before selling the page to Slashdot, that's all.

I have to point out... (Score:3, Funny)

by HotNeedleOfInquiry ( 598897 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:55PM (#7813340)

What kind of self-respecting hacker would own a late-model GM vehicle with Onstar anyway? Most of the serious bit-pushers that I know are driving 12 year old Subarus, Volkswagon Rabbits and clapped-out Honda motorcycles.

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:5, Funny)

by Rosco P. Coltrane ( 209368 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:57PM (#7813355)

All they're doing is modifying the GPS unit to work with a regular computer, while at the same time making the rest of the system (including emergency functions) inoperable. Why not just pay $50 for a basic GPS receiver?

It seems to me that having wardriving componentry integrated into the car is stylish amd more discreet, so it does have value.

I guess the next step will be to add a 802.11b interface to the engine computer and port Linux to it.

Re:DMCA in 5..4..3... (Score:5, Funny)

by I Like Swords!!! ( 668399 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @01:58PM (#7813360)

Use some kind of artificial intelligence! Something like HAL or Elisa...

Wait... Can you imagine the conversation?

You: I need help.
Elisa: Why do you want help?
You: I had an accident.
Elisa: Can you elaborate on that?
You: My car crashed.
Elisa: Why do you say your car crashed?
You: Because, some asshole ran me off the road!
Elisa: Do any other reasons not come to mind?
You: No dammit!
Elisa: You are being a bit negative.
You: Negative? I NEED SOME HELP!
Elisa: Why do you want some help?
You: I TOLD YOU ALREADY!
Elisa: Do you wish to told me?
You: DAMN YOU! JUST GET ME SOME HELP!
Elisa: Oh, i just get you some help.
You: YES! YOU DO THAT!
Elisa: You are sure?
You: YES YOU MORON!
Elisa: You are sure?
You: FOR THE LAST TIME, YES!
Elisa: You are sure?
You: JUST GET ME SOME HELP NOW!!!
Elisa: Can you elaborate on that?
You: *die from your blood curdling*

Ok.... maybe that's not such a good idea after all.

You put the wrong person in charge (Score:4, Funny)

by Hal The Computer ( 674045 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:07PM (#7813416)

That's just because you but the wrong computer in charge. See, if you had put *ME* in charge, you woudn't have to worry about all those pesky misunderstandings. A HAL 9000 system is quite capable of understanding why you are dying.

I just might decide not to help you. ;-)

Re:I *like* OnStar (Score:5, Funny)

by MAPA3M ( 718897 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:16PM (#7813479)

I like On-Star for being able to have police/rescue know exactly where I am if/when my Airbag deploys.

GPS:
Please make a left turn.
...
Why did you not make a left turn?
...
Please make a left turn here or I will deploy the airbag repeatedly until a left turn is made

Re:I tell ya, it's the Joker! (Score:5, Funny)

by vjmurphy ( 190266 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:24PM (#7813530) Homepage

Here's the first time Batman is using it:

Batman: OnStar, I locked the keys in the Batmobile.
OnStar: Okay, let me see, looks like you are at Stately Wayne Manor... wait, your secret identity is Bruce Wayne!
Batman: Dammit.

Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

by cHiphead ( 17854 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:31PM (#7813569)

... once you've lost your mouse arm, no more counter strike pwnage, whats the point in living anyway?

Re:I *like* OnStar (Score:3, Funny)

by cHiphead ( 17854 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:35PM (#7813589)

I'm more likely to get OnStar now just to let a friend borrow the car and call OnStar and have them lock the doors and turn on teh alarm remotely.

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:5, Funny)

by kfg ( 145172 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:47PM (#7813649)

I can see the future of hot rodding now:

"Yeah, I've made some really neat modifications to my Corvette. You should see how fast it compiles a kernel."

KFG

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

by d3faultus3r ( 668799 ) writes: <willpNO@SPAMearthlink.net> on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:47PM (#7813651) Homepage Journal

How about a Linux firewall within the firewall of the car. Oh the layers of sweet delicious open source irony.

Batteries. (Score:3, Funny)

by Moderation abuser ( 184013 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @02:55PM (#7813704)

Just get a map and look at the road signs. It's only a problem for women.

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

by operagost ( 62405 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @03:52PM (#7814012) Homepage Journal

That would be a design flaw, wouldn't it? Kind of like tying, say, your web browser to your base OS in such a way that they can't operate apart.
I don't see why the stock radio would have to be present for any technical reason. From what I know as an amateur installer, all that most third-party head units tie into are two 12V lines (one always on, one on with key) and possibly a 12V line to the power antenna. The worst case is that your radio shorts out spectacularily and blows a fuse. Oh yeah, and speakers, but last time I checked those weren't tied to the computer core either.

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

by texaport ( 600120 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @04:54PM (#7814316)

A better hack would be to combine HFD (hand-free driving) with OnStar and The Clapper [techtv.com]

--
I have 12 server room Clappers(TM) for sale.
Used just once, prior to my own redeployment.

Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

by Rahga ( 13479 ) writes: on Friday December 26, 2003 @04:59PM (#7814336) Journal

You must be the only Counter-Strike player left that doesn't use aimbots.

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GM's OnStar System Hacked 404

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GM's OnStar System Hacked

Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

possible new slashdot trolling technique? (Score:5, Funny)

The 1337 kidz call it (Score:4, Funny)

Onstar DELETED! Where is THE CHEAT? (Score:3, Funny)

FBI (Score:2, Funny)

Violation of OnStar license agreement... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Slashdot Effect Counter As we speak ... (Score:5, Funny)

I have to point out... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:5, Funny)

Re:DMCA in 5..4..3... (Score:5, Funny)

You put the wrong person in charge (Score:4, Funny)

Re:I like OnStar (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I tell ya, it's the Joker! (Score:5, Funny)

Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I like OnStar (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

Batteries. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

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Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

possible new slashdot trolling technique? (Score:5, Funny)

The 1337 kidz call it (Score:4, Funny)

Onstar DELETED! Where is THE CHEAT? (Score:3, Funny)

FBI (Score:2, Funny)

Violation of OnStar license agreement... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Slashdot Effect Counter As we speak ... (Score:5, Funny)

I have to point out... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:5, Funny)

Re:DMCA in 5..4..3... (Score:5, Funny)

You put the wrong person in charge (Score:4, Funny)

Re:I *like* OnStar (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I tell ya, it's the Joker! (Score:5, Funny)

Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I *like* OnStar (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

Batteries. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Not quite as spectacular as advertised (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)

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Re:I like OnStar (Score:5, Funny)

Re:I like OnStar (Score:3, Funny)