Security experts hack Mitsubishi Outlander

Computer security experts at Pan Test Partners have recently published a blog post on the security flaw which allowed them to remotely disengage the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV car alarm. The security experts came across the weakness when they noticed that the mobile app had 'an unusual method” of connecting to the vehicle.

The experts bought an Outlander PHEV and exploited the flaw, which enabled them to take control of many of the vehicle's systems, including the security alarms, lighting, and air conditioning and even allowing them to drain the battery.

'Once unlocked” the experts said 'there is the potential for many more attacks.”

When the experts reported the problem to Mitsubishi, the company reportedly appeared 'disinterested”. After the security team contacted the BBC, however, Mitsubishi released a statement saying that the matter was serious and the hacking was 'a first for us as no other has been reported anywhere else in the world”.

Professor Mark Skilton, of the University of Warwick, said that this was the latest in a string of high profile cases where security experts had discovered weaknesses in Wi-Fi networks. He also said the problem was not a failure of the system but of poor design.