New immobilizer concept based on Scania’s electrical platform

Sammanfattning: Immobilizers are security systems that are set up and installed in modern vehicles in order to prevent thieves from starting the vehicles. The idea is that if any wrong keys are used to start the vehicle, the immobilizer detects the wrong key and start the immobilization procedure to stop the vehicle from turning on. The vehicle ignition key (key transponder or key fob) is one of the important components in an immobilizer system. An ignition key in an immobilizer system has a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) chip inside it. This RFID chip holds a specific encryption algorithm and particular number of bits (encryption key bits) in itself. Using the encryption algorithm and encryption key bits, RFID chip inside the key authenticates and identifies itself as the right key to the immobilizer system in order to disable the immobilization procedure and start the vehicle. However, there are two ways thieves can disable the immobilization procedure and start the vehicle. The first approach is by discovering the specific encryption algorithm and key bits in the right key transponder (RFID) and using them to duplicate the correct RFID chip to disable the immobilization procedure and start the vehicle. The second approach is by exploiting the vulnerabilities and weaknesses in vehicle security network (CAN bus) to bypass the immobilizer and manipulate the immobilization procedure to start the vehicle. Scania vehicles are not using the most secure RFID and immobilization procedures, hence they are vulnerable to two vehicle theft approaches above. Therefore in this thesis project, I have done research and investigation on Scania vehicles key transponder (RFID) and analyzed their immobilization procedures in order to identify the roots and origins of vulnerabilities in Scania RFID and immobilization procedures. As the first result of this thesis work, I have found and proposed an RFID chip having one of the strongest encryption algorithms and proper number of encryption key bits for all Scania vehicles. As the second result of this thesis project, I have proposed and introduced two new individual immobilization procedures exclusively for Scania hybrid and electrical vehicles. Both proposed RFID (encryption algorithm) and immobilization procedures will be implemented in Scania vehicles in near future and will increase the security of Scania immobilizers significantly.