Blockchain-based Approach to thwart Replay Attacks targeting Remote Keyless Entry Systems

Abstract

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) is a revolutionary technology that allows drivers to gain access to their vehicles using a wireless key fob operating on short-range radio waves. This technology offers numerous advantages for drivers, but it is still vulnerable to serious security threats which target the interactions between the fob and car, which may eventually result in car theft. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based approach to thwart replay attacks targeting cars equipped with RKE systems. We consider the key fob and the car as two separate users of a private blockchain in which a miner authenticates the key fob with the corresponding car to grant or deny access using a smart contract. We validate our findings by a performance evaluation of the time taken by the miner to validate the access to the vehicle.