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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."

8 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?

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    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: 5, Informative

      Because its your hardware, and you should have the right to do so, whether or not you have a reason to at the moment. It's about preserving that right, which seems to be going away on more and more devices over time.

    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. Two 1 h GoogleTechTalks by AHuxley · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Deconstructing The Xbox Security System
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NqLljaHc80
    Xbox 360 Security System and its Weaknesses
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxjpmc8ZIxM

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    Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
  3. Re:Finally! by Pseudonym+Authority · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm installing ReactOS as we speak!

  4. Re:Would be nice if by _133MHz · · Score: 4, Informative

    It does! Xell spits out the CPU key and the DVD key at the boot console. Just have a digital camera handy!

  5. NO IT DOESN'T! by definate · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure beats arguing on /.

    NO IT DOESN'T!

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