Linux Running on Xbox Without Modchip!

NiteStar writes "It looks like people on xbox-scene.com and xboxhacker.net managed to run Xbox-Linux on a non-modded Xbox console. It requires no soldering at all - you don't even have to open up the Xbox. They are using an exploit in the saved game handling of the EA xbox game '007 Agent Under Fire'. It requires the original version of the 007 game and a memorycard you can connect to PC like the mega-X-key or datel's action replay. Apparently you can even build this memorycard yourself using a standard USB memstick." Frankly it seems like just soldering in the modchip would be easy, but big points for being clever!

Comments

Thats a lot of money they have won

[watzinaneihm]

http://developers.slashdot.org/developers/03/01/04 /1522202.shtml?tid=156
Looks like they are getting a lot of money .....
And no breaking the RSA too...

Re:Okay and now on to some important things..

[timmyf2371]

Granted, the XBox doesn't make a great PC - it's fairly rigid in terms of hardware, with exception of the very important upgradable hard drive.

With a Linux-based OS running on XBox, you have a machine capable of playing some great games, with a bit of work a PVR using Myth TV, and also a general entertainment center capable of playing music, DVDs, and the like - all in a box specifically designed for the TV room instead of a beige box.

I'm pretty sure this is also Microsoft's vision, however making it Linux-based would give us the choice of operating system and the choice between paying .Net (or whatever they call it these days) subscriptions and paying a one-time fee (or not) for the brains of the system.

Tim

modchip easier?

[ironfroggy]

And illegal. Don't be stupid, taco. The whole point of the non-mod xbox linux is that any other way is illegal in many places.

Re:modchip easier?

[FooBarWidget]

Isn't using a buffer overflow like this violating the DMCA or whatever?

Re:modchip easier?

[LordKronos]

OK. So it needs a memory card that can connect to USB. This isn't a standard item. So instead of the modchip being the circumvention device, the USB memory card becomes one. Distributing the USB memory cards is now in violation of the DMCA.

Of course, these memory cards seem more legit. They were created for a totally different purpose (supposedly, so are modchips, but the courts see through that argument). Perhaps these would at least stand a chance of being found legal. Then again, given how backwards this whole issue is in regards to the DMCA, I won't hold my breath.

Re:modchip easier?

[squiggleslash]

Amusingly, the X-Box security system is considered in some circles to be the "prototype" for Palladium.

I wonder if this hack has more interesting repurcussions than immediately appear?

I Predicted This

[Euphonious Coward]

Of course nobody modded it up, but I posted a plan for this approach back in February. I'm not claiming any credit, this guy did the work. Rather, everybody else should be embarrassed that they weren't working on it too.

The next big advance will be somebody doing power consumption or timing analysis while the xbox is checking (bad) signatures, and teasing out the key a bit at a time. Then you will be able to sign anything you like. (Look up Markus Kuhn's papers.)

Money?

[sconeu]

So do these guys get the prize? Wasn't there a cash prize for Linux without a modchip?