German scientists have cracked the KeeLoq system, which is the cryptography used in RFID-based remote devices, including car remotes from Volvo, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen.

At first glance this seems like a catastrophe for owners of those cars. And make no mistake, if the report is true, it exposes great failings of both U.S.-based Microchip Technology, which designed the security system in those devices, and the automobile companies that implemented it and trusted Microchip Technology.

This isn’t a new phenomenon, by the way. A similar crack happened a couple years ago.