Security researchers have found two major vulnerabilities in SinoTrack GPS tracking devices that put connected vehicles at serious risk. These flaws, if exploited, could allow hackers to track vehicles in real-time, cut off fuel supply remotely, and potentially access sensitive user information all without needing physical access to the device.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an official warning about the issues, which impact all versions of the SinoTrack IoT PC Platform. These devices are widely used by individuals and fleet operators for tracking and monitoring vehicles, making the security flaws especially concerning.
The two security flaws are officially tracked as:
CVE-2025-5484 – CVSS Score: 8.3 (High Severity)
This vulnerability is caused by weak authentication. The device uses a default password and a username that is simply the printed identifier on the GPS unit itself. This makes it easy for attackers to guess or obtain the login details.CVE-2025-5485 – CVSS Score: 8.6 (Critical Severity)
The second flaw involves the format of the device identifier, which acts as the username. It’s a numeric code with 10 digits or fewer, making it vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Hackers can guess or generate possible identifiers and gain unauthorized access.
According to CISA and the researcher who reported the issue, Raúl Ignacio Cruz Jiménez, attackers don’t need advanced tools or insider access. In fact, they can obtain device identifiers in several simple ways:
Physical Access: If someone gains physical access to the vehicle or device, they can directly read the identifier printed on the sticker.
Online Photos: People often upload images of their GPS devices when selling them on websites like eBay or forums. Hackers can scrape these images to gather identifiers.
Guessing Numbers: Because the identifiers follow a simple numeric pattern, attackers can write scripts to increment or decrement from a known number and test access in bulk.
Once inside the web management interface, the attacker can:
Track the real-time location of the vehicle
Disconnect power to the fuel pump (if supported)
Access historical movement data
Steal sensitive vehicle or user information
No Patch Available – What Can Users Do?
As of now, SinoTrack has not released a patch to fix the vulnerabilities. This means that all users of affected devices are currently exposed to risk.
However, CISA has shared some immediate mitigation steps to reduce the chances of exploitation:
Change Default Passwords Immediately
If you’re still using the default credentials printed on the device, update them with a strong, unique password as soon as possible.Conceal the Device Identifier
Avoid sharing photos that show the sticker or printed code. If such images are already online, remove or blur them to prevent data scraping.Check for Suspicious Activity
Monitor your GPS device and vehicle for any signs of unauthorized tracking or control. If something seems unusual, disconnect the device temporarily.Stay Updated
Follow official communications from CISA or SinoTrack for updates. A firmware patch or software update might be released in the future.
Expert Warning: Serious Privacy and Safety Risks
Raúl Ignacio Cruz Jiménez emphasized the critical nature of these flaws in his statement to The Hacker News:
“Due to its lack of security, this device allows remote execution and control of the vehicles to which it is connected and also steals sensitive information about you and your vehicles.”
This statement underscores the need for better security-by-design practices in IoT products. The use of default passwords and predictable usernames is a recurring problem in many GPS, smart home, and industrial IoT devices.
Tips for Safer GPS Use
If you’re using GPS trackers for personal or business use, here are some SEO-optimized safety tips to consider:
Always change the default password on any IoT tracking device.
Keep your vehicle tracker identifier private to avoid unauthorized GPS access.
Monitor devices for signs of remote vehicle control or GPS spoofing.
Stay informed about GPS device vulnerabilities through trusted sources like CISA and The Hacker News.
Replace outdated or unsupported devices with secure GPS tracking solutions from reputable vendors.
The vulnerabilities in SinoTrack GPS devices are a stark reminder that cybersecurity risks extend beyond traditional computers and smartphones. Any device connected to the internet—including GPS trackers—can be a potential entry point for attackers.
With no official fix released yet, users must act fast to secure their devices. Changing passwords, hiding identifiers, and being cautious with online content can significantly reduce the risk of being hacked.
Until SinoTrack provides a permanent solution, staying vigilant is the best defense against remote GPS exploitation.
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