Console hackers have already penetrated the PlayStation 5 system and can use the root key to decrypt firmware updates.
The hacker collective “FailOverflow” was also for one of these First hack on PlayStation 4 system Known. It needed almost 2 years with the previous consoles for the reverse engineering group to be able to show their first major success. With the PlayStation 5, success is probably a little quicker. A few days before the PS5’s first birthday, the group released the unencrypted binary code of the bootloader (Secure Loader Firmware Update v4.03). With this the collective has already penetrated far into the system structure. However, there is still a long way to go before full access (jailbreak) with which your own software or pirated games can be started via PlayStation 5.
Translation: we’ve got all the (symmetric) ps5 root keys. They can all be obtained from software – including per-console root keys, if you try hard enough! https://t.co/ulbq4LOWW0
— fail0verflow (@fail0verflow) November 8, 2021
Hackers Find PS5 Root Keys
The hacking group confirmed via Twitter that they have access to all symmetric root keys. This key can be used to decrypt and encrypt the data. This is particularly interesting because FailOverflow can now actually evaluate protected firmware updates. For example, you can get information about current and future PS5 features, or get tips on how to move forward in “the heart of the PS5.” The hackers probably found the key (which is unique to each console) in a certain area of memory.
Incidentally, this is probably not an isolated case. “Engineer” Andy Nguyen posted a photo of the PS5Share function on Twitter, which shows the PS5 console’s active debug menu. It’s actually reserved for the PS5 development kit, but reads about activating the same exploits.
#PS5Share pic.twitter.com/xem0A7i3rC
— Andy Nguyen (@theflow0) November 7, 2021
PS5 jailbreak will still take time
It is expected that it will take some time before the full PS5 Kernel Exploit (KEX) is achieved. Although the hacker community is already scratching its feet, neither FailOverflow nor Ngyuen (Theflow0) published details of how they could get into the PlayStation 5 system. Those involved can wait until Sony closes the security gap, which would give hackers “exclusive” access to PS5 software for some time. For Sony Interactive Entertainment, a complete decryption of the system at such an early stage in the console cycle would be a catastrophe.
