The Nintendo Switch Is Vulnerable to Hacks

A hardware exploit has been discovered that leaves the Nintendo Switch vulnerable to hacks. ReSwitched first reported a coding mistake in the system’s read-only bootROM that cannot be patched once the device is shipped from manufacturers, like most Nvidia Tegra X1 chip-powered devices.

The workaround to access the bootROM is by forcing the Switch into USB recovery mode and overwhelming its direct memory access buffer. To get into USB recovery mode however, means you must short a single pin in the console’s Joy-Con connector. Hacking team fail0verflow found out about this exploit previously, creating a device that makes shorting the USB pin easier.

They even tweeted the system running a copy of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, suggesting the team got a Dolphin emulator to work on the device using a bootROM exploit they also found. The hacking community is already developing easier ways to jailbreak the Switch, but if the method continues to require a bit of hacking know-how, third parties will inevitably begin selling jailbroken Switch units.

In related news, a college university is offering scholarships to top Fortnite players.

Introducing our new, revolutionary technology for Nintendo Switch modification. Welcome to SwitchX PRO. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/d3xGawrW1u

— fail0verflow (@fail0verflow) April 23, 2018

In utterly, completely unrelated news, here’s a sneak peak at a totally brand new Zelda game coming soon to Nintendo Switch. pic.twitter.com/5FwyBX7L1y

— fail0verflow (@fail0verflow) April 23, 2018