PSN is hosed, hackers are going to take over.

I was reading the web, trying to understand a little more about the recent PS3 hack... and i found a post from someone that presumably understands the issue in this thread explaining the significance of the hack in layman's terms...

Well, the master key has been found. I won't post it here, but I'm sure it'll be freely available on the Internet in a few hours, if not now.

If you're not a programmer it's useless to you, however if you are, you just got handed the keys to the kingdom. It's a cryptographic system of private and public key. Public key is used to run software, private key is used to sign it. You can't sign anything without a private key, and you can't run anything that isn't signed with a private key.

This enables you to sign anything you like and make the console run it as if it came from Sony. Even worse, it enables you to decrypt everything that has been signed with the private key, analyze it, modify it, and resign it to make it run on the console. This means:

1. Custom firmware (unpatchable)
2. Custom software (unpatchable)
3. Full access to all console functionality
4. Being able to change unique console ID (making it impossible to ban anyone on PSN)

Basically it opens the pandora's box. Complete meltdown for Sony.

---

The master key, the one used to sign ALL PS3 software to verify to the console that it's genuine, the key that is hardcoded (as in etched, unchangeable) into the master processor itself has been COMPROMISED, leaked, released in the wild.

This means you can code anything you like and use the key to sign it and the console will accept it as if it came from God (Sony) himself. There's no way to patch that hole, because technically it's not hacking, it's using Sony's own master key to sign your code, making it indistinguishable from the original.

There's literally no way they can fix this.

---

How big is this problem? Think JTAG Xboxes, but MUCH MUCH worse. Typically JTAG Xboxes can last only around 2 hours in the wild before they get banned. But now, every PS3 out there will be able to perform like an Xbox JTAG, without being able to get banned.

Sony will have to implement a sort of a PunkBuster anti-cheat system across the board, and won't be able to get it up an running for at least 6 months or more, and in the meantime you'll have cheaters paradise on PSN.

This will almost certainly be reported all over the gaming media, which is a complete disaster for Sony.

Seriously, for those that still don't get it - this is absolutely the worst possible scenario that could have happened for Sony, period.

Summary: Basically, unlike jtagged xbox's that get banned for going online... PS3 owners in the know are now able to hack games and play online as much as they want without any possibility of having their console banned. Seems like a pretty major issue im surprised isnt getting much attention... maybe because most folks like myself think this is just run of the mill console hacking, when it appears to have much worse implications.... thoughts?

EDIT: thread title edited for more clicks :P

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Well se what happens. As long as it dont effect my gaming.

To be honest Whatever

:roll:

Hacks and cheating exist to an extreme degree now on both psn and xbox live...I wish people would stop making this stuff up as they go along *as in that thread*
This doesn't really mean more for the hacks just the unbanning which is harder but possible on the 360...

Honestly, I'm not that concerned since I don't play online very often. It could be annoying once KZ3 comes out, though.

No idea if this would work, but what about releasing patches & software with new private keys? People that would want to play new games would have to have an unmodified console or something? Is that possible or am I just sounding really naive?

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

Dont really care about this stuff, i'll still buy my games and enjoy ps3.

So how does this affect normal people that play the PS3?

No idea if this would work, but what about releasing patches & software with new private keys? People that would want to play new games would have to have an unmodified console or something? Is that possible or am I just sounding really naive?

Twin-Blade

from what ive been reading the private key cant be patched... the only solution would to be to recall all PS3s on the market... as its hardcoded in the the physical components themselves.

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

XboximusPrime

Lems are just creating an "end of the Sony world" scenerio and jumping for joy now that psn has joined Live in the hack zone. Nothing more than that.

So how does this affect normal people that play the PS3?

metswonin69

No idea if this would work, but what about releasing patches & software with new private keys? People that would want to play new games would have to have an unmodified console or something? Is that possible or am I just sounding really naive?

Twin-Blade

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

XboximusPrime

Have a read up on the PS3 Black Ops board. Supposedly hackers in BlackOps not only hack so that they win & unlock things for themselves, but are able to change things on other players accounts that are in the same game & lobby. Things like clan names, titles & the like. I heard they can unlock certain titles & ranks/pictures (I'm not sure of the terms. I haven't played Bops) of other players, which I guess isn't so bad if you don't want to do it the legit way. But they mainly ruin the multiplayer aspect of the game.

Somehow this feels like its being blown way out of proportion IMO.

Shouldn't we have ps3 games on torrent sites already? Have a nice day downloading those ISOs.

People starting these threads remind me of all the doomsday 2012 etc tinfoil conspiracy loons.

Before you make these threads could we wait until we get any proof that the possible "hacks"and mods are actually working in practice b4 PSN users can start being worried?

[QUOTE="metswonin69"]

So how does this affect normal people that play the PS3?

ferret-gamer

[QUOTE="Twin-Blade"]

No idea if this would work, but what about releasing patches & software with new private keys? People that would want to play new games would have to have an unmodified console or something? Is that possible or am I just sounding really naive?

markinthedark

from what ive been reading the private key cant be patched... the only solution would to be to recall all PS3s on the market... as its hardcoded in the the physical components themselves.

Ya I remember people were saying the same thing last Feb when the infamous error happened and in just 1 day everything returned to normal I'm sure hackers are just exaggerating it most likely it will be another PSP case you can use a custom firmware on your PS3 but if you want to go online then you have to remove it and thats what I got from PS3-hacks.com if you want to log on PSN you should unload the custom firmware.

basically: your quick fun game of COD can now be ruined by an aimbotting hacker in god mode with noclip.ferret-gamer

Basically this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYGlWjIKoY4

[QUOTE="ferret-gamer"][QUOTE="metswonin69"]

So how does this affect normal people that play the PS3?

metswonin69

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

Twin-Blade

Have a read up on the PS3 Black Ops board. Supposedly hackers in BlackOps not only hack so that they win & unlock things for themselves, but are able to change things on other players accounts that are in the same game & lobby. Things like clan names, titles & the like. I heard they can unlock certain titles & ranks/pictures (I'm not sure of the terms. I haven't played Bops) of other players, which I guess isn't so bad if you don't want to do it the legit way. But they mainly ruin the multiplayer aspect of the game.

well, i dont do multiplayer so that dosent effect me personaly, but that does kinda suck.

Somehow this feels like its being blown way out of proportion IMO.

Shouldn't we have ps3 games on torrent sites already? Have a nice day downloading those ISOs.

People starting these threads remind me of all the doomsday 2012 etc tinfoil conspiracy loons.

Before you make these threads could we wait until we get any proof that the possible "hacks"and mods are actually working in practice b4 PSN users can start being worried?

lucky_star

It is. Waaay out of proportion.

[QUOTE="lucky_star"]

Somehow this feels like its being blown way out of proportion IMO.

Shouldn't we have ps3 games on torrent sites already? Have a nice day downloading those ISOs.

People starting these threads remind me of all the doomsday 2012 etc tinfoil conspiracy loons.

Before you make these threads could we wait until we get any proof that the possible "hacks"and mods are actually working in practice b4 PSN users can start being worried?

TheMoreYouOwn

It is. Waaay out of proportion.

in a few weeks once people start making programs available to general public, it will be known. But unlike a jtagg'd xboxs which are easily detected and banned rather quickly. These hacks will be undetectable. Thats really the main difference as far as i can tell.

Somehow this feels like its being blown way out of proportion IMO.

Shouldn't we have ps3 games on torrent sites already? Have a nice day downloading those ISOs.

People starting these threads remind me of all the doomsday 2012 etc tinfoil conspiracy loons.

Before you make these threads could we wait until we get any proof that the possible "hacks"and mods are actually working in practice b4 PSN users can start being worried?

[QUOTE="lucky_star"]

Somehow this feels like its being blown way out of proportion IMO.

Shouldn't we have ps3 games on torrent sites already? Have a nice day downloading those ISOs.

People starting these threads remind me of all the doomsday 2012 etc tinfoil conspiracy loons.

Before you make these threads could we wait until we get any proof that the possible "hacks"and mods are actually working in practice b4 PSN users can start being worried?

Phazevariance

geez, i was just thinking about cheating online... but i guess the PS3 is kinda like a PC..... back before they had anti-virus software... and CD keys to validate games and such.

gonna be kind of like the old wild west of PC days. Maybe Norton will start making anti-virus software for the ps3. Seems like online cheaters is probably the least of sony's worries.

I was just thinking of 12 year olds with aimbots.

maybe this will be the catalyst to get next gen underway sooner rather than later.

You people do realize there is already a custom 3.55 custom firmware availble to download which allows you to access PSN and you don't need the Jailbreak USB stick anymore with that custom firmware. The only thing it doesn't do yet is play downloaded games but that is just a matter of time.

Good luck writing code for the cell, lol.

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

TheMoreYouOwn

Lems are just creating an "end of the Sony world" scenerio and jumping for joy now that psn has joined Live in the hack zone. Nothing more than that.

Good luck writing code for the cell, lol.

Domobomb

It all makes sense now. Briliant, Sony, briliant.

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

TheMoreYouOwn

Lems are just creating an "end of the Sony world" scenerio and jumping for joy now that psn has joined Live in the hack zone. Nothing more than that.

[QUOTE="TheMoreYouOwn"]

[QUOTE="XboximusPrime"]

Can someone explain to me why i shoudl really care about this or why this is a big deal? people are acting like this is gonna kill Sony or something. I mainly think people are jsut gonna use this to readd linux to their PS3. can i now potential get a PS3 virus through the internet or the browser?

BodyElite

Lems are just creating an "end of the Sony world" scenerio and jumping for joy now that psn has joined Live in the hack zone. Nothing more than that.

Yes except there have been stealth parches for 360 games which make it undetecteble for MS to see if you're using and illegal game or not. Seriously some people have no clue what they are talking about.

Yes except there have been stealth parches for 360 games which make it undetecteble for MS to see if you're using and illegal game or not. Seriously some people have no clue what they are talking about.

USS_Data

Stealth patches are detectable.. Microsoft detects them within a few weeks.

[QUOTE="metswonin69"]

So how does this affect normal people that play the PS3?

ferret-gamer

[QUOTE="USS_Data"]

Yes except there have been stealth parches for 360 games which make it undetecteble for MS to see if you're using and illegal game or not. Seriously some people have no clue what they are talking about.

waltefmoney

Stealth patches are detectable.. Microsoft detects them within a few weeks.

and then the hackers will come up with a new patch it's just an endless cycle which can't be beaten.

and then the hackers will come up with a new patch it's just an endless cycle which can't be beaten.

USS_Data

Yes, after they get their console banned. Basically throwing at least 200 dollars down the drain. Brilliant. Who would be stupid enough to keep buying new consoles, then modding them, then playing a few weeks of XBL and being banned? Most people with modded consoles don't even connect to Xbox Live.

[QUOTE="USS_Data"]

and then the hackers will come up with a new patch it's just an endless cycle which can't be beaten.

waltefmoney

Yes, after they get their console banned. Basically throwing at least 200 dollars down the drain. Brilliant. Who would be stupid enough to keep buying new consoles, then modding them, then playing a few weeks of XBL and being banned? Most people with modded consoles don't even connect to Xbox Live.

Well there you have you answer where all the sales for the 360 come from. Most people are stupid enough to buy a new console and you don't even need to open up the 360 to mod it all you have to do is flash the diskdrive which you can do yourself.

will i still be able to play Mass Effect 2 and LBP2 this january 21st?

will i still be able to play Mass Effect 2 and LBP2 this january 21st?

iMojo786_PSN

Sure thing, it will not affect single player games in any way. Playing online will be hack fest though, especially COD.

[QUOTE="iMojo786_PSN"]

will i still be able to play Mass Effect 2 and LBP2 this january 21st?

Sagem28

Sure thing, it will not affect single player games in any way. Playing online will be hack fest though, especially COD.

and their are already people hacking on COD

[QUOTE="Sagem28"]

[QUOTE="iMojo786_PSN"]

will i still be able to play Mass Effect 2 and LBP2 this january 21st?

iMojo786_PSN

Sure thing, it will not affect single player games in any way. Playing online will be hack fest though, especially COD.

and their are already people hacking on COD

Somehow I don't think you need to worry about LBP2 getting hacked, it really isn't that competitive of a game. Like I said; COD will get the full blow with people using aimbots, infinite ammo, etc.

Dont really care about this stuff, i'll still buy my games and enjoy ps3.

finalstar2007

Can someone answer WHY do people use this? it just takes away the purpose of multiplayer.dvalo9

Well there you have you answer where all the sales for the 360 come from. Most people are stupid enough to buy a new console and you don't even need to open up the 360 to mod it all you have to do is flash the diskdrive which you can do yourself.

USS_Data

So people who don't have enough money to buy games have enough money to buy a new console every few months? Brilliant.

[QUOTE="USS_Data"]

Well there you have you answer where all the sales for the 360 come from. Most people are stupid enough to buy a new console and you don't even need to open up the 360 to mod it all you have to do is flash the diskdrive which you can do yourself.

waltefmoney

So people who don't have enough money to buy games have enough money to buy a new console every few months? Brilliant.

they are bored and haking is their hobby. THey always search a challenge. It's sad.rubedisky

Well there you have you answer where all the sales for the 360 come from.

USS_Data

Interesting. According to him, all the 360 owners are genius hackers with trucks full of money that do nothing but exploit the system all day, and never buy games. And this is just some PR mumbo jumbo.

How many times has someone predicted the doom of the PS3 since the start of this gen? how many times has it became true?