XboxHacker.net describes the new Xbox ROM security system

[duffer]

Xbox Linux Team and PhD Bunnie discuss the new Xbox ROM security features

(The good stuff starts around page four.)

It looks like the new Xboxes are going to be harder to mod-chip than the old Xboxes.

 

[zurich]

Interesting that they mention that with the new NVIDIA security functions, it becomes possible to crack the Xbox entirely through software. Though they also state that this is nil to impossible (but wouldnt that be MSs worst nightmare?)

zurich

 

[Glonk]

Interesting that they mention that with the new NVIDIA security functions, it becomes possible to crack the Xbox entirely through software. Though they also state that this is nil to impossible (but wouldnt that be MSs worst nightmare?)

zurich

I think you kinda misread it, it was also "possible" to do it before but no one had done it yet, it's still possible now but supposedly much harder (closer to impossible).

 

[duffer]

Well, that's it then, the Xbox v 2 has already been hacked successfully. Microsoft chose an algorithm that was trivial to break. Oops.

Xbox v 2 Hacked Successfully

 

[Glonk]

It's no surprise at all, the vast majority of the components remain unchanged.

MS changed some of the board design to save cost, and at the same time tweaked how the security system works. They knew it'd be cracked (everyone knew it), but they'll keep changing it overtime. One of the ideas is once you've got an array of different Xbox security systems out on the market, it becomes more confusing/annoying for consumers to get modchips.

 

[Vince]

It's no surprise at all, the vast majority of the components remain unchanged.

One of the ideas is once you've got an array of different Xbox security systems out on the market, it becomes more confusing/annoying for consumers to get modchips.

Yeah, but see, nVidia already took a multi-million dollar hit from Microsoft changing their specifications and them getting stuck with outdated yeilds... While it might get more difficult for consumers (heh, ok), it's becoming an increasing pain-in-the-ass for nVidia. Tape-Outs aren't cheap either you know...


I think, if you look at the global picture, that this fault isn't part of a larger scheme to outdue us all - I think they were bound by the ROM limitations and went with a standard encryption algorithm that would; a) fit, b) be off the shelf - thus quick to impliment