Great news for console owners (or at least PlayStation owners). A developer called Specter has just released a kernel level exploit for PlayStation 4.
The exploit was published on Github 2 days ago and clearly says that it does not contain any sort of code that lets you run pirated games. However, this exploit can enable jailbreaking.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Here's the 4.05 kernel exploit, fully implemented. Enjoy! Write-up coming soon! https://t.co/MQR0lzCu9Y
— Specter (@SpecterDev) December 27, 2017
According to Specter,
In this project you will find a full implementation of the ‘namedobj’ kernel exploit for the PlayStation 4 on v4.05. It will allow you to run arbitrary code as kernel, to allow jailbreaking and kernel-level modifications to the system.
Can Enable Jailbreaking
Even though he says that it allows jailbreaking, he expressly mentioned that his code does not contain anything that disabled anti-piracy mechanisms.
Still, this is a major development and paves the way for other developers to jailbreak the PlayStation 4. Running home-brew firmware can also become a possibility through this exploit.
About Jailbreaking and Home-brew Software
Consoles are often locked down, with companies making sure that they cannot be tampered with. When something is “jail-broken” you get access to everything in the device.
Its similar to how rooting an Android phone grants you access to everything (yes you need to unlock the bootloader and do several other things, but that’s beside the point).
The term jailbreaking is also loosely used for defeating copyright protection found on consoles and other devices, letting them run pirated software or games.
On the other hand, it also lets people run “home-brew” software on them, kind of like custom ROMs on Android phones. This is perfectly legal and does not breach copyright law in any way.
Note that this exploit is for firmware version 4.05 of PS4. Currently the latest firmware on PS4 consoles is v5.03. It is likely that Sony fixed this exploit on the latest version.
this would be best day of the year…
This is not “Great News” – this will allow us to pirate games — steal games, rather than buying them. I don’t understand why an action that makes more thieves is a “great news” for the writer of this article.
This is exactly like saying that we found a back-door to the shopping center, where we can enter and take / steal whatever we want, rather than buying it.
may Be Luca now can Jailbreak PS4