Latest PlayStation 3 Firmware Quickly Hacked, Again

by Steve Watts, Jan 27, 2011 11:30am PST

Related Topics – PlayStation Network, PlayStation 3

The ongoing saga of PlayStation 3 hacks continues. When last we left off, Sony was pursuing court action against hacker George Hotz, which was delayed due to jurisdictional confusion. Still, the company claimed it would "fix the issues through network updates."

Yesterday, Sony issued a new firmware update with a new encryption key. It would require users to run firmware v3.56 to sign on, disabling the custom firmware that spoofs v3.55. However, Edge reports that within hours, hackers had unlocked the new update. Now another piece of custom firmware is expected to spoof v3.56 soon.

To be fair, this is Sony's first attempt at sealing the recent flood of hacks, and the company could improve its methods in the future. For the time being, though, Sony's promise to secure its system through firmware updates seems shaky.

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Comments

13 Threads | 61 Comments

#61

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By: Damarius101 x Show Full Post

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Theyre really going to have to check their internal affairs, its not likely that someone would be able to hack it that quickly unless 1) Sony simply sucks at encrypting their firmware updates or 2) Someone on the insides leaking the info on how to crack it.

Or the worst-case scenario possibility of the hacker just having godlike hacking skills. Which in that case. theyre fucked.

Feb 07, 2011 12:09pm PST

Theyre really going to have to check their internal affairs, its not likely that someone would be able to... : Damarius101

#4

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By: AgentPothead x Show Full Post

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I'm honestly surprised people still give sony money for anything.

Jan 27, 2011 11:49am PST

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I'm honestly surprised people still give sony money for anything. : AgentPothead
Thread Truncated. Click to see all 13 replies.

#5

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By: DragonSire x Show Full Post

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I wonder if they have considered embracing an open platform. Let their commercials speak the truth that it truly does everything. Like Microsoft and Apple in the 80's, where Microsoft won out because they were not so rigid and stringent in what they supported.

Turn what they see as a problem right now into a strength and selling point in the future.

Jan 27, 2011 12:04pm PST

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I wonder if they have considered embracing an open platform. Let their commercials speak the truth that ... : DragonSire
Thread Truncated. Click to see all 5 replies.

#13

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By: dantastic x Show Full Post

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They need to just ban accoutns and consoles of people being caught with it to make it riskier. There seems to be no repercussions

Jan 27, 2011 12:53pm PST

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They need to just ban accoutns and consoles of people being caught with it to make it riskier. There see... : dantastic
Thread Truncated. Click to see all 13 replies.

#43

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By: Pfunk2k2 x Show Full Post

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Can someone explain to me in a rational manner, why hackers who purport to be on the side of open systems for the benefit of consumers, would release a hack that could potentially reduce/decrease a lot of paying consumers' access to software?

If what happens to the PSP (sieve-like protections resulting in fleeing developers) happens to the PS3, sure you've succeeded in poking Sony in the eye, but they've also had a decisively negative impact on the consumers they say they represent.

Is there some perspective I'm not seeing? Can't they fight they're crusade without making me (paying consumer) collateral damage?

Jan 27, 2011 5:54pm PST

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Can someone explain to me in a rational manner, why hackers who purport to be on the side of open systems... : Pfunk2k2
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  Technically, it is Sony that is reducing paying customer access to software using hacker's modification o... : CasbahBoy
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    Don't forget that they removed linux functionality that is part of the product too, or at least it was ti... : Longgshot
    - Geohot announced the hack on January 2010, for it to work it needed the OtherOS function in the fat PS3... : impar

#2

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By: rick x Show Full Post

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I wish Sony would just give up. All these efforts to stop the hackers just fucks the legitimate users over with needless updates and other hassles.

Jan 27, 2011 11:45am PST

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I wish Sony would just give up. All these efforts to stop the hackers just fucks the legitimate users ove... : rick
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  That is not an option. First and foremost, I hope that Sony "wins" and the hackers are locked out. ... : Ebu
  - They also risk "the right" to have once loyal consumers stop buying their product and move to XBox or PC ... : MeestaNob

#25

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By: technotica x Show Full Post

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I say open it, and let the games speak for themselves. Add serial keys/ DLC/ the like and anyone serious about the game or that wants the full product (online gaming inc.) will purchase the games. Not to mention the requirements for d/ling and storing a BRD.

Jan 27, 2011 2:53pm PST

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I say open it, and let the games speak for themselves. Add serial keys/ DLC/ the like and anyone serious ... : technotica
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  YEAH! let's make it easier for the pirates and the entitled leeches who just want everything for free and... : panbient
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    so you'd rather have a closed environment, no other O/S support, and above all a restricted system that h... : technotica
    - Yes. Yes, I would prefer that. I would prefer a system that is secure, that I know is a level pla... : Ebu
    - you mean exactly the way all the classic consoles worked? hell that would be FREAKING AWESOME! what pot... : panbient
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  The problem with this strategy is that it still allows people to hack and cheat very easily, and Sony has... : finger
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    ya i can see where hacking and cheating would be bad.. Valve makes it work. Why cant Sony? : technotica

#6

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By: the archvile x Show Full Post

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When the "released to hacked" period for a firmware update is measured in hours, something is seriously wrong.

Oh wait, that's right, Sony forgot to randomize a parameter in their code signing PKI. Any bets on when 3.57 will be released?

Jan 27, 2011 12:05pm PST

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When the "released to hacked" period for a firmware update is measured in hours, something is seriously w... : the archvile
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- 9 Days 5 Hours 43 Minutes 14 Seconds. : mastermike569

#44

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By: squeakychimp x Show Full Post

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this is why console cycles worked when they came out every 2 -3 years...they were never out long enough for hackers to dick with them ...just announce the PS4 already

Jan 27, 2011 6:31pm PST

this is why console cycles worked when they came out every 2 -3 years...they were never out long enough f... : squeakychimp

#42

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By: Pfunk2k2 x Show Full Post

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Just an idea...right now Sony charges you (ie - Playstation Plus) for automatic updates. Since they already have the technology in place, why don't they offer that particular part of the Plus service free of charge (at least until they find a more permanent solution to this hacking predicament they're in).

I think if this update/hack/update cycle is going to continue for some time, this might be a way for Sony to wage that war in the background without inconveniencing they're paying customers. Don't have a software background or anything, but it seems like an easy temporary band-aid.

Jan 27, 2011 5:46pm PST

Just an idea...right now Sony charges you (ie - Playstation Plus) for automatic updates. Since they alrea... : Pfunk2k2

#10

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By: lcizzle x Show Full Post

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This firmware update is far from "hacked". Sure they copied out the keys that are out in the open but you can't install this firmware without losing features, and it hasn't been "hacked" as far as "jail broken". Right now any PS3 hack site worth a damn has a giant notice that says "DO NOT INSTALL THIS UPDATE IF YOU STILL WANT TO RUN HOMEBREW".

If you install this update you lose
-Update from USB device
-Recovery Mode

Jan 27, 2011 12:28pm PST

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This firmware update is far from "hacked". Sure they copied out the keys that are out in the open but you... : lcizzle
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  Except it didn't remove Update from USB and Recovery mode. That was a rumor started by someone that was p... : var987
  - I saw Kakaroto and company say it on IRC, if it's false that's awesome because recovery mode is vital to ... : lcizzle
- Look at you posting all sorts of incorrect information! : pancake humper

#3

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By: Beady x Show Full Post

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So each hamfisted attempt at a fix means a 200+meg download and a lengthy install process. Yay.

Jan 27, 2011 11:47am PST

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So each hamfisted attempt at a fix means a 200+meg download and a lengthy install process. Yay. : Beady
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- Seriously. I had to spend half an hour watching progress bars instead of Netflix last night. : humble

#1

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By: Endymion_ x Show Full Post

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Hahaha

Jan 27, 2011 11:44am PST

Hahaha : Endymion_

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