Hackers have taken the first step towards hacking the Sony PlayStation 5

Over the weekend, hackers may have taken a big step towards possibly hacking the PlayStation 5: hacker group Fail0verflow claims to have managed to obtain the PS5 root keys that allow the console's firmware to be decrypted. These are so-called symmetric keys, which can be obtained by software means.

Another one bites the dust ???? pic.twitter.com/Y1ty93AvaE

- fail0verflow (@fail0verflow) November 8, 2021

Additionally, Andy Nguyen (Google security engineer, better known as theflow0) accessed the debug settings menu on the retail PS5 over the weekend.

#PS5Share pic.twitter.com/xem0A7i3rC

- Andy Nguyen (@theflow0) November 7, 2021

These two exploits are particularly notable for theoretically giving access to PS5 software. Decrypting the firmware - which is possible thanks to the Fail0verflow keys - would potentially allow hackers to continue re-engineering PS5 software and possibly develop hacks that allowed Linux, emulators and even pirated games to be installed.

Obviously, Sony is keen to prevent such actions from users and will do everything possible to prevent these exploits from spreading to a wider audience, as well as trying to address the existing vulnerabilities.

Source: @fail0verflow, @theflow0