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Behind the Xbox Boot Code

Posted by Zonk on from the bowels-of-the-machine dept.

NiteStar writes "The Xbox-Linux team has up a new article about The Hidden Boot Code of the Xbox. The Xbox console contains a 'chain of trust' to allow only legit Microsoft signed code to run on the Xbox. The hidden 'MCP' boot ROM (just 512bytes) is the link between hardware and software in this chain of trust." From the wiki article: "The Xbox, having an external (reprogrammable) 1 MB Flash ROM chip (models since 2003 have only 256 KB), would normally start running code there as well, since this megabyte is also mapped into the uppermost area of the address space. But this would make it too easy for someone who wants to either replace the ROM image with a self-written one or patch it to break the chain of trust ("modchips"). The ROM image could be fully accessed, it would be easy to reverse-engineer the code; encryption and obfuscation would only slow down the hacking process a bit."

7 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Re:They had some by CDLewis · · Score: 4, Funny
    chink in their chain (of trust)

    Andrew "Bunnie" Huang, specifically.

  2. How they did it.. by OmgTEHMATRICKS · · Score: 2, Funny

    All they did was digitize themselves into the XBox and destroy the MCP with a Data Disc.

  3. Re:Be sure to RTFA...... by rossifer · · Score: 2, Funny

    El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas?
    -long, confused pause-
    Jefe: Yes, El Guapo. You have a plethora.
    El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
    Jefe: Why El Guapo?
    El Guapo: Well, I would just like to know if you know what a plethora is because you believe I have a plethora
    Jefe: Sorry El Guapo, I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect or education. Could it be you are angry about something and are looking to take it out on me?
    El Guapo: Like what Jefe?
    Jefe: Maybe it's because you are turning 40 today?

    *sigh* Good times :)

  4. Re:A guess by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Pssst. Check the anonymous box if you want to stay anonymous.

  5. Re:A guess by cornface · · Score: 3, Funny

    Management: Hey, stop posting our dirty laundry to slashdot!
    Monkelectric from monkelectric.com: Don't worry, I posted anonymously.
    Management: We trust you to write software?
    Legal Department: AIIIIIIEEEEEE!
    Management: AIIIIIEEEEEE!
    Monkelectric from monkelectric.com: ...

  6. Re:A guess by brkello · · Score: 5, Funny

    Soo, ummm....I take it there is a position in monk electric that will be opening soon. Should I send my resume?

    --
    Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
  7. Re:This is bad news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I just like to lose fairly, the way the game was designed to play without having to resort to modding my Xbox to get that edge.

    You need to mod your Xbox to get an edge just to lose fairly? Jeez, you REALLY suck at Halo.