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Xbox 360 Reset Hack Yields Unsigned Code Execution

Posted by Soulskill on from the let's-see-if-microsoft-pulls-a-sony dept.

walshy007 writes "A new exploit has been shown which allows unsigned code execution on the Xbox 360 for all current models. It functions by pulsing the reset pin at a critical time during the checksumming/crypto boot process. The exploit enables the running of Xell, a boot loader which facilitates the running of Linux, amongst other programs."

6 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Why? by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I can already run unsigned code on any of half a dozen PCs or similar devices I have that are not the 360 and are FAR more powerful. This is interesting-ish in that it's a neat kind of hack, but really... why would I want to do this now?

    --
    "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    1. Re:Why? by gman003 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You're obviously not a real geek, then. Running arbitrary code on a device designed to not let you run arbitrary code is, to a geek, a worthy goal in and of itself.

      In other words, "it's not about WHY, it's about WHY NOT!".

    2. Re:Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Umm, because it's fun?

      Jesus, what the hell has happened to this place... *sigh*

    3. Re:Why? by gman003 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You're still focusing on the wrong thing. The people doing this aren't doing it because they need a computer to do useful tasks. They're doing it because breaking into a system designed to keep you out is fun. Getting a decent machine (the CPU on it is actually fairly impressive, even if the graphics processor isn't that hot, and the memory system opens some interesting opportunities) is just icing on the cake.

      Some people, in their leisure time, collect stamps, others play war games, others still read ancient Greek political satire. And some people hack game consoles.

      Sure beats arguing on /.

  2. that's why i don't buy console by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I refuse to buy devices where the mfg intentionally locks me out of running code I want on a device that I own. Sure, sure, these hacks appear but you have to subvert the attempts by the vendor to lock you out of your own hardware. Same for many cell phones, and with things like the iPad slowly starting to eat away at PC sales, that seems to be how personal computing is going to go. It'll end up that you can only run "approved" code on your own device to prevent "hackers" - just wait.

    I don't get why so many other people don't seem to mind giving up control over their own systems. It's a war only one side is fighting.

  3. Re:Finally! by cbackas · · Score: 3, Insightful

    According to MS, neither XBox is based on the Windows kernel at all contrary to popular belief.
    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/xboxteam/archive/2006/02/17/534421.aspx