PSP security exploit allows unsigned code to be played

by Nick Haywood on 28 September 2005, 09:31

Tags: PlayStation Portable, Sony Computers Entertainment Europe (NYSE:SNE), PSP

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qadpm

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Latest PSP firmware makes unsigned code a doddle

Proving that if someone really wants to crack security protection they will, hackers have found a stupidly easy exploit of the PSP's new firmware that opens up the possibility to run unsigned code (pirated games), emulators and homebrew games on the PSP. The Version 2.0 firmware has been installed by many owners as it finally provided official support for Web browsing as well as loads of other features... but it looks as if Sony have given themselves a bigger headache with the simple exploit. The exploit involves setting a modified image file savde on the Memory Stick as your wallpaper, and then you're away and running. At the moment there's not a huge risk as the files hackers can run are limited to just 64kb, but the issue is that once the PSP has been cracked in this way, it won't be too long before hackers have figured out how to get full games running.