Xbox DVD Firmware Hacked *Updated*
>> From TheSpecialist on xboxhacker.net:
Quote: Yes! I've just played a backup DVD on a XBOX 1 without any modchip/softmod, just a hacked firmware :-) This completes our work on the XBOX 1. The drive I modded was a 8050L. The good news is that the firmware in this drive is very similar to the firmware in the GDR3120, used in the XBOX 360. I think it's time for me to buy one now :-)
Thanks to all the contributors in the firmware hacking thread!
This hacked firmware will fake the disc detection (will trick drive to detect disc as DVDXBOX media), the xbe must still be signed though (for DVDXBOX media), so this hack will not allow to run homebrew/linux stuff, atleast not directly (if there are possible font or other exploits in retail games, this could be used as alternative to gamesave exploits to install a dashboard exploit for example).
The finished hacked firmware (for the H-L 8050L drive) should be able to boot any MS-signed xbox executables (xbe) with DVDXBOX mediaflag and with regionflag matching your console's region (in case it's region locked - and no you can't change regionflag of the xbe as that would break the signature) from any recordable media.
The 8050L is the Hitachi-LG DVD drive found in newer Xboxes (see here).
*UPDATE* A new update from TheSpecialist and SiliconIce on xboxhacker.net:
Quote: TheSpecialist: I now completely understand how he[bunnie when he extracted the RC4] felt :-) It was also 4 AM for me yesterday, when I inserted the patched drive into my xbox and inserting a backup for the first time, to see if it worked. I too felt great euphoria when it did Smiley However, after the 'come down' you start to realise that your work could have major impact...
I like hacking. I always liked it. I like the process. Till now, nobody 'profited' from what I did. I'd like to keep it that way :-) People are, very kindly, already offering me hardware and even money to get a hack done for the 360. I really appreciate it, but I don't want to prosper financially in any way from my work.
I understand that releasing this hack would have major impact. Althought I serioulsy doubt that releasing a 'firmware *patcher* is illegal, I don't want to take my chances on it :-) I think anybody who wants to do something like that should ask himself if it's worth all the trouble he might get into. I feel it's not. That's why I'm not releasing anything. I hope everybody understands :-)"
SiliconIce: TheSpecialist has done some great work, and I understand and support his position. As always, we are working on a very slippery slope.
Download: n/a (not released)
News-Source: xboxhacker.net(1) and xboxhacker.net(2)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
