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[Xbox-Scene]

Free60: Dangerous Xbox360 Update Killing to-be released Homebrew Hack Posted by XanTium | August 11 13:41 EST | News Category: Xbox360

We received this news from Felix Domke and Michael Steil at the Free60 Project: On Tuesday, Microsoft has released an Xbox 360 software update that overwrites the first stage bootloader of the system. Although there have been numerous software updates for Microsoft's gaming console in the past, this is the first one to overwrite the vital boot block. Any failure while updating this will break the Xbox 360 beyond repair. Statistics from other systems have shown that about one in a thousand bootloader updates goes wrong, and unless Microsoft has a novel solution to this problem, this puts tens of thousands of Xboxes at risk. It seems that this update is being done to fix a vulnerability already known to the Free60 Project. This vulnerability has been successfully exploited to run arbitrary code, and a complete end user compatible hack has been in development for some time and is planned to be released on free60.org shortly. It will allow users to take back control of their Xboxes and run arbitrary code like homebrew applications or Linux right after turning on the console and without the need of a modchip, finally opening up the Xbox 360 to a level of hacking as the original Xbox. Because of the dangerousness of the update and the homebrew lockout, the Free60 Project advises all Xbox 360 users to not update their systems to the latest software version. The Project website at http://free60.org/ will provide the latest information on this ongoing topic, including the final hack software. Free60 (www.free60.org) is a project that aims to enable Xbox 360 users to run homebrew applications and operating systems like Linux on their consoles. The effort is headed by Felix Domke and Michael Steil, who have a background in dbox2, Xbox and GameCube hacking, and who have spoken at various conferences about their findings. Two years ago, Free60 released a hack that allowed arbitrary code execution using a game ("King Kong Hack") as well as an adapted version of Linux, but this possibility has been disabled by Microsoft in subsequent updates of the Xbox 360 software. Felix and Michael have repeatedly argued that game console manufacturers should open up their platforms to Linux and homebrew, similar to what Sony has done with the PlayStation 3. Official Site: http://www.free60.org

[psxpirate1]

Bring on XBMC, MAME and Zsnes! This is AWESOME news! Good thing I didn't turn on my xbox in the past couple days. The only question remaining for me to wait for this hack is when will it be out? Any timetable for release?


This post has been edited by psxpirate1: Aug 11 2009, 06:52 PM

[GARRYB]

just cant wait for it to come out please say this is true  i want homebrew thxs

forgot to say this will bring hell for m$ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/muhaha.gif)

This post has been edited by GARRYB: Aug 11 2009, 06:55 PM

[WOlfSaviorZX]

Well too late, already updated. Looks like no homebrew for me. Oh well I have a pc hooked up to my tv so i don't care.

[thegardner]

OMG!!! Been waiting years for this hack! Well done free60 Your going to make me 1 JOLLY s.o.b  

[zainday]

sounds cool......but would have been nice for someone to have installed the beta release, prior , and notify the users that this project was in the loop, to be released shortly....I had no idea about this and check the boards often....now that the official release has been out for a while....most people like me, have already updated....

[K1LLERHORNET]

Don't update, can't connect to Live.

Srry, but i have opted for Live rather than the upcoming of Homebrew hack.

I suppose if you have more than one 360, you can leave one unmodded - but i'm sure not a lot of us are in that situation.

Hopefully we'll see this hack down the line for all 360 console, even ones with the latest kernal - but i doubt it'll happen.; the 360 is way too locked down.

[condor1334]

the update won't affect the moded drive firmware though from what i was reading. so if i update my moded one it should be ok as long as i don't expect to ever use homebrew, right??

[WOlfSaviorZX]

QUOTE(condor1334 @ Aug 11 2009, 01:06 PM)

the update won't affect the moded drive firmware though from what i was reading. so if i update my moded one it should be ok as long as i don't expect to ever use homebrew, right??

yeah you should be fine just doesn't mean your safe, never no what else M$ hides in the trunk

Also I'm afraid if M$ gets mad about this home brew stuff and starts coming after every one. Especially in the US where new legislation is making it damn easy for them come after us. I hate how we always get lied to by our politicians.

[leorimolo]

FUCK YEAH!

[sabbath_dude]

Sounds very interesting. Hopefully it's legit and the average 360 owner will get to see homebrew running on their console   . Too bad I already updated. Still, there are tons of non updated consoles around. Everything currently on store shelves should be exploitable.

[LiGhTfasT]

Great tell everyone after they updated

[Bassie Von Adriaan]

Yeah, wtf, a bit late this announcement.
Other then that, good news and good job!!!

[Jhonnyyoyo]

so if people have the beta update cant they do it. also what is the kernel version of the new update mines 8496

[FrostyTheSnowman]

Damn, i'm glad I have yet to update both of my 360s, now I can keep one for homebrew!

I wonder how said exploit will work... it must be a bootloader-related hack, perhaps a replacement BIOS that takes advantage of a hole in the bootloader?

Maybe something like this:

1. Buy Cygnos360 v2
2. Find super-awesome bootloader-exploiting custom BIOS
3. Use Cygnos360 v2 to find all necessary CPU keys, etc. and apply them to the super-awesome bootloader-exploiting custom BIOS
4. Flash the super-awesome bootloader-exploiting custom BIOS on to the Cygnos360 v2 NAND chip
4. Run XBMC and happy days are had by all! (emulators too)

One can only wonder until it's actually released...

This post has been edited by FrostyTheSnowman: Aug 11 2009, 07:41 PM