Hackers Use Old Toys to Infiltrate Garage Doors in Seconds
Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, and garage doors have become a surprising target. By taking advantage of outdated frequency-based security systems, hackers can infiltrate garage doors using nothing more than a decade-old communication device.
The Unlikely Tool Behind the Hack
Surprisingly, the device used to hack garage doors originates from an unlikely source: a discontinued Mattel toy from 2007 called the IM ME. Originally designed as a secure wireless instant messaging system for kids, the IM ME was meant to be a safe alternative to mobile phones. However, with today’s advanced smartphones dominating communication, the IM ME is now obsolete—except in the hands of hackers.
How Hackers Exploit Vulnerable Garage Doors
In 2022, security researcher Samy Kamkar discovered that the IM ME could be repurposed to breach any garage door using an unsecured fixed code, rather than a more secure rolling code system. Kamkar modified the device by attaching a simple antenna and open-source hardware, creating a tool he dubbed OpenSesame.
Unlike traditional code grabbers—which require hackers to be present when a garage door remote is pressed—OpenSesame can infiltrate garage doors remotely, making it a significantly greater threat. This means a hacker could walk up to an unprotected garage and gain access in mere seconds.
The Eight-Second Garage Door Breach
Kamkar’s initial test showed that cracking a garage door’s fixed code could take up to 29 minutes. However, by optimizing his method—eliminating wait periods, removing redundant transmissions, and using an advanced De Bruijn sequence—he reduced the attack time to just eight seconds.
WIRED reported on this alarming discovery:
Using a straightforward cracking technique, it still would have taken Kamkar’s program 29 minutes to try every possible code. But Kamkar improved his attack by removing wait periods between guesses, eliminating redundant transmissions, and using an advanced De Bruijn sequence. With these optimizations, he was able to reduce the attack time to a mere eight seconds.
Is Your Garage Door at Risk?
If you’re concerned that your garage door might be vulnerable, Kamkar has provided a video demonstration explaining which doors are susceptible and why. Watching this demonstration can help you determine whether you need to upgrade your security.
The Growing Threat of IoT Vulnerabilities
This case underscores a broader security issue—the risks posed by the Internet of Things (IoT). As more devices connect to the internet via Bluetooth and near-field communication, unregulated security flaws could lead to serious breaches. If your network isn’t properly secured, your business could be exposed to cyber threats far beyond garage door infiltration.
How to Protect Your Business
At Vision Computer Solutions, we specialize in comprehensive network security assessments to protect against evolving threats. If you’re concerned about vulnerabilities in your business infrastructure, we can help safeguard your network.
To learn more, contact us today at 248-349-6115.
