CVE-2018-16806: A Pektron Passive Keyless Entry and Start (PKES) system, as used on the Tesla Model S and possibly other vehic

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5MITIGATE

CVE-2018-16806 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting passive keyless entry and start system firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A Pektron Passive Keyless Entry and Start (PKES) system, as used on the Tesla Model S and possibly other vehicles, relies on the DST40 cipher, which makes it easier for attackers to obtain access via an approach involving a 5.4 TB precomputation, followed by wake-frame reception and two challenge/response operations, to clone a key fob within a few seconds.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 59%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-327
Published	2018-09-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pektron

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-09-10 23:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:44 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pektron passive keyless entry and start system firmware MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-16806?

passive keyless entry and start system firmware: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-16806 being exploited?

CVE-2018-16806 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-16806 affect?

CVE-2018-16806 affects passive keyless entry and start system firmware. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). A Pektron Passive Keyless Entry and Start (PKES) system, as used on the Tesla Model S and possibly other vehicles, relies on the DST40 cipher, which makes it easier for attackers to obtain access via an approach involving a 5.4 TB precomput

How urgent is CVE-2018-16806?

Priority 38/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Tesla and automotive vulnerabilities

References

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