Xbox 360 DVD Firmware Hacked!

[_=DeltaForce=_]

http://www.engadget.com/media/2006/03/xbox_hack_PGR3.jpg


Apparently it's nowhere near the type of hack that would allow you to run unsigned code on your Xbox 360, but due to Microsoft forgetting to "remove the debug routines from the [firmware]," (whatever that means) some hackers have managed to get a burned copy of PGR3 running on the 360. Turns out these are the same guys who turned out the DVD firmware hack for the original Xbox, so things look pretty legit, and the video of the burned disc up and running seems to verify their claims. The team of hackers, headed by TheSpecialist, isn't going to release the actual modified firmware since they're not quite into piracy, but the security details are available on the web so we're sure their results -- if real -- will be soon duplicated.


LINK (http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/18/xbox-360-dvd-firmware-hacked/)

Download Vide Link (ftp://ftp.quicknet.nl/pub/Maxconsole/360hack.mpg)

What do you guys think?? Hacked or Faked??

[hapoo]

its certainly possible. only problem i had with the video was that we don't get the see the back of the TV. It could have very well been hooked up via another connection to another xbox/recording.

[welfareloser]

it's probably real. ahhh, my preciousssssss 360... soon i will expose your guts... :P

[Jeffbx]

I'd bet it's legit.

For every bit of security, there's a way around it. Otherwise, all of those security products & companies out there would go belly up as soon as everyone's system was perfectly secure.

[MikeD]

Woot! The only true Xbox is a modded Xbox...the games are just too expensive. :thumbup:

[zero2dash]

I saw someone mention on Joystiq that it's possible that they took a legal/retail version of PGR3 and put a blank CD label over it and made it look like a copy. :heh:

I agree. :P

Not that this won't ever happen, but, if I remember correctly - it took an awful long time for the original Xbox to be cracked, and the 360 is supposed to have a lot more checks and protection measures in place, so...360 being cracked (roughly) 7 months after release? Hard to believe. :shrug:

Also, with this being a firmware issue, and a (reported) easy defeat - if in fact this is legit, I bet Microsoft is working on a mandatory firmware update via Live/Dashboard that will remove the "debug routines" from the current firmware, which would solve this problem. :) And for those who try to disconnect their system so the download isn't possible (and they can keep the old firmware) - I wouldn't be surprised to see firmware updates come with game discs (like Sony does with the PSP).

Again - if this is legit, I don't think it's going to last long.

[ProMinx]

Not that this won't ever happen, but, if I remember correctly - it took an awful long time for the original Xbox to be cracked, and the 360 is supposed to have a lot more checks and protection measures in place, so...360 being cracked (roughly) 7 months after release? Hard to believe. :shrug:

7 months? November 22 - March 20? A little under 4 months actually, so even more impressive...but I still believe it.

[zero2dash]

7 months? November 22 - March 20? A little under 4 months actually, so even more impressive...but I still believe it.

For some reason I was thinking about "September"...d'oh. :)
Impressive, indeed, but again - I think this 'back door' will be circumvented and "not working" within a month or so.

[ProMinx]

oh yeah. i definitely agree with you that microsoft will close this loop hole very soon.

[Dem0072]

Hey, you there, come here. Now lets think, its M-I-C-R-O-S-O-F-T.

Need I say more? Their built in Firewall is even more useless than a Bull with TITTS.

[Jeffbx]

Hey, you there, come here. Now lets think, its M-I-C-R-O-S-O-F-T.

Need I say more? Their built in Firewall is even more useless than a Bull with TITTS.


What's wrong with it?

[InfiniteNothing]

oh yeah. i definitely agree with you that microsoft will close this loop hole very soon.
So, if I'm reading you right, everyone should try and get a "first gen" XB360 and not use Windows Update?

[zero2dash]

What's wrong with it?

:agree:
I have no problems whatsoever relying on Windows Firewall.

I'm sure he's complaining about the lack of support for outgoing blocking, but IMO - it's not necessary anyway.

[ProMinx]

So, if I'm reading you right, everyone should try and get a "first gen" XB360 and not use Windows Update?

I'm afraid that just won't do it IN. One of the main features of the 360 is XBox live and the marketplace (god bless the man who created geometry wars), and to access XBox live, you need to accept regular updates from M$. So we will all just have to wait until someone creates a 360 hack that is confirmed, switchable hardware. I never hacked my XBox because I played so much Halo 2 online, and I probably won't ever hack my 360 (unless it is a ways down the road and I buy a second just for some strange features made available solely to hacked 360 boxes, but I can't even really imagine that scenario at the moment).

[Dem0072]

What's wrong with it?

It's first and foremost, a BIG lack of features, and I've had it commonly block & interfere with access on certain programs.

Secondly, it has a latency when taking action, which has caused some programs to not respond, because it acts as a background application/program, it gets the lower process priority.

Third, it isn't nearly as efficient as an actual software firewall, like Sygate, or any other well-respected professional firewalls.

Fourth, this is a hit on all software firewalls, but it isn't a hardware firewall, first and foremost the best form of defense. Then again that ones irrelevant due to what it is.

It also does not always respond to access requests from previously installed programs, for what reason I'm unsure, however I find you almost have to go in manually & add everything you want access granted to.

Last, since it's microsofts, offcourse it probably allows microsoft traffic which may or may not be pleasing transferring unauthorized data back to corporate.

In any case, Microsoft spends too much time trying to do & be everything, and not enough offering the level of quality I would prefer. They try to automatically provide drivers for software, when it should be at the responsibility of the one who installs the software, to correctly configure & install drivers. this would do away with much of the legacy support, and greatly boost things.

Not to mention when the beta for service pack 2 came out..... what a nightmare that was. Cost me a reinstall.

[Jeffbx]

It's first and foremost, a BIG lack of features, and I've had it commonly block & interfere with access on certain programs.

Secondly, it has a latency when taking action, which has caused some programs to not respond, because it acts as a background application/program, it gets the lower process priority.

I've never had latency or interference issues with the XP FW - I think as a more or less passive firewall, it does a really good job. I've had a machine with no protection other than the XP firewall connected to a live dedicated IP address for about a year now, and I've never had a security breach.


Third, it isn't nearly as efficient as an actual software firewall, like Sygate, or any other well-respected professional firewalls.

Of course there are better ones out there, but they cost $$. The only real drawback I see on the XP FW vs. commercial ones is that it only monitors traffic in one direction - incoming. If you're infected with something, XP FW won't block malicious traffic from leaving your machine.


Fourth, this is a hit on all software firewalls, but it isn't a hardware firewall, first and foremost the best form of defense. Then again that ones irrelevant due to what it is.

Well, sure. There's OK protection, and there's GOOD protection. This offers OK protection.


Not to mention when the beta for service pack 2 came out..... what a nightmare that was. Cost me a reinstall.

Yeah, I did the same thing. No more beta service packs for me!

[kame]

*ahem*

post hijacker....

SO anyone hack their XBOX?

[Jeffbx]

Hey! Don't try to change the subject!


:P

[gwilks98]

Of course there are better ones out there, but they cost $$. The only real drawback I see on the XP FW vs. commercial ones is that it only monitors traffic in one direction - incoming. If you're infected with something, XP FW won't block malicious traffic from leaving your machine.

I prefer it that way. You'd sacrifice performance for monitoring. Leave that to the switches, routers and packet shapers.

Like you said, I've never had a breach with my firewall up. (Unless I let something in through a higher layer.)

Dem0072, I'm not sure what latency you're talking about. Are you confusing Windows Security Center with the firewall? How do you attribute the latency to the firewall and not something else?

Edit; sorry guys. PM me with your answers if you want.