CVE-2026-2539 in Car Alarm System
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2026
The RF communication protocol in the Micca KE700 car alarm system does not encrypt its data frames. An attacker with a radio interception tool (e.g., SDR) can capture the random number and counters transmitted in cleartext, which is sensitive information required for authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2026
The Micca KE700 car alarm system presents a critical security vulnerability through its RF communication protocol implementation that lacks proper data encryption mechanisms. This weakness fundamentally compromises the system's ability to protect sensitive authentication information transmitted over wireless channels. The vulnerability stems from the protocol's design decision to transmit all data frames in plaintext format, creating an inherent exposure that directly violates fundamental security principles for wireless communication systems. The absence of encryption creates a pathway for unauthorized parties to intercept and analyze the transmitted data, fundamentally undermining the security model that users expect from automotive security systems.
The technical flaw manifests specifically in the transmission of random numbers and counters that are essential for the authentication process within the system. These cryptographic elements are transmitted in cleartext format, making them immediately accessible to any attacker possessing basic radio interception equipment such as software-defined radios. The random numbers and counters represent critical session identifiers that, when captured, enable attackers to reconstruct the authentication sequence and potentially gain unauthorized access to the vehicle's security system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in data transmission, and represents a failure to implement proper encryption at the communication layer. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how wireless security protocols should operate, particularly in environments where physical access to radio frequencies is possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full unauthorized access capabilities for vehicle security systems. An attacker with basic radio interception tools can capture the authentication data, analyze the transmitted sequences, and potentially replay or manipulate the authentication process to gain legitimate access to the vehicle. This creates a significant risk for vehicle theft and unauthorized access scenarios, as the attacker can effectively bypass the security mechanisms designed to protect the vehicle. The vulnerability affects not only the physical security of the vehicle but also creates potential risks for the broader connected vehicle ecosystem, as compromised authentication data could be used to target other systems that rely on similar communication protocols. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SDR equipment is readily available and relatively inexpensive, making this vulnerability exploitable by a wide range of threat actors.
Mitigation strategies must address the fundamental lack of encryption in the communication protocol while also considering the operational constraints of the automotive environment. The most effective solution involves implementing robust encryption mechanisms for all data frames transmitted between the car alarm system and its communication components, utilizing industry-standard protocols such as AES encryption with appropriate key management. Organizations should also consider implementing authentication mechanisms that do not rely solely on static random numbers and counters, but instead use dynamic challenge-response protocols that generate unique session identifiers for each communication event. This approach aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defense evasion, as it addresses the root cause of the vulnerability rather than merely mitigating its symptoms. Additionally, system designers should implement proper key rotation mechanisms and ensure that cryptographic implementations meet established security standards to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments.