PS Vita CFW Leaked - Scene Developer Bids Farewell

Published on 10-01-2012 10:04 AM

69 Comments

A few days ago I stumbled across the video below. A video claiming a kernel exploit in the PSP emulator of the PS Vita. I was skeptical, due to it been released on youtube, and asked others here if it was indeed true and not another fake. After some investigation I noted some threads regarding this leak been removed at Wololo and judging by the comments on youtube realized this leak was in fact true.

So what does this mean for PS Vita owners? The files released contain not only a user mode exploit but also a kernel exploit and an encrypted PS Vita custom firmware. PSP developer Coldbird felt that the release of a CFW for the Vita would harm the already struggling handheld, therefore adding security measures should a leak occur. Well... the leak has been made and now PS Vita owners have what they wanted. (Although useless in it's current encrypted state) And from yet another dramatic event we loose a respected developer who bids farewell to the scene.

About Coldbird's Urbanix User Mode Exploit & CFW:

This all started 4 months ago, when I discovered the Urbanix user mode exploit and a fitting kernel mode exploit to go along with it... VHBL has always been interesting to me and I wanted to take it a step further, wondering whether a full CFW was possible on Vita.

What shall I say... 3 months later, it was done. A fully working CFW for Vita... but the time wasn't right for a release... so many things were still out of place...

PSX emulation worked, but we didn't have sound, Sony's new console was still having problems getting it's safe spot on the market and - while a whole lot of people think we are pirates, we are the total opposites.

Yes, the CFW could play ISO files, but no - we never supported piracy... and we knew that PSN sales of PSP games would dwindle if this became public.

With Vita still having a more than suboptimal amount of good games to go with it, the PSP PSN sales were what kept the console going... and we didn't wish to harm this very fragile ecosystem.

We knew the time for it to shine wasn't there yet... and we made sure this would stay this way for a while...

We placed a whole bunch of security locks onto the files, so that even if a leak occured from our beta testers, like the one you guys saw a few days ago, no one would be able to use it and Sony's new system would remain secure and tight, unharmed by piracy - which sadly - whether we like it or not... is a negative side effect of the work we do to enable homebrew.

So yes... the leak is real, yes it contains both a user exploit and a kernel exploit... and in fact, a tightly locked - publically unusable - CFW too.

News Source: coldbird via wololo

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_{Tags :

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69 Comments

CS67700 - 10-02-2012, 03:16 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by BahumatLord

And I'm tired of people that have done nothing but take, take, take thinking they can talk about devs like that here. He f*cked up and gave a beta copy to the wrong person. Sh*t happens. If he decides to continue with the project or not it's entirely up to him.

This is the only warning anybody is going to get about this kind of thing on this thread - If you've never done anything for anybody other than yourself in the scene then this kind of opinion is not welcome and won't be tolerated

And now back to the regularly scheduled program

Threats usually don't work with me. No privileges needed to express, except if you live somewhere in Colombia or North Korea.

Developers or end users we're all standing on the same level, we're human beings with an opinion living in a free country with free speech.

Without developers a scene wouldn't exist, without sceners the scene wouldn't exist either.

Some peoples are tired of drama and developers being attention whores, never thought of that ?

It goes both way.

And let me ask you, if devs didn't like peoples who "take take and take" why would they participate in a scene in the first place ? Isn't the purpose sharing ?

Otherwise they would just go the True Blue way and sell a f*cking dongle, don't you think so ?

Maybe that's what he was intending to do, and got pissed off that his precious work was leaked by a backstabber (considering it's encrypted, my little finger tells me he did).

Well sorry VIP boy, life can be a bitch sometimes, welcome to the real world.

No one needs another DRM CFW, we have enough money suckers in this scene already.

RandQalan - 10-02-2012, 03:46 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by BahumatLord

I'm not the first mod to visit this thread. Sad thing is I don't even own a Vita and have no plans on getting one. Sucks I gotta be the asshole here but I'm so good at it

Hey I would have said something but I do have a life besides this sometimes

I will back you up about bashing

but can I start with you

JonJonB - 10-02-2012, 04:55 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by BahumatLord

This is the only warning anybody is going to get about this kind of thing on this thread - If you've never done anything for anybody other than yourself in the scene then this kind of opinion is not welcome and won't be tolerated

translation for us plebs: "suck up or shut up".

ahou - 10-02-2012, 05:07 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by RandQalan

Nice rant

I know I for one would not like to work 4months and have all that work wasted for nothing but Sony to come and then patch it up

Except nothing was wasted. The exploit still works perfectly, and always will on firmwares up to 1.81.

RandQalan - 10-02-2012, 05:14 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by ahou

Except nothing was wasted. The exploit still works perfectly, and always will on firmwares up to 1.81.

So you got it working no problems at all on you Vita don't think so but good for you

BahumatLord - 10-02-2012, 07:32 AM
- Reply
Ask around - I don't threaten. What I called you on was the queer comment. You can get your point across without the homophobic bashing because somebody's holding something back. Devs disappear altogether over that kind of thing. I don't know what you guys are used to on other sites but that will not go on here

Shrek - 10-02-2012, 07:33 AM
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Sony might welcome this CFW. Their sales of the Vita might go through the roof. Up from 23 consoles sold to 35. That would be around a 50% jump.

yes159 - 10-02-2012, 07:35 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Quakes69

Tell that to all the ppl that comes in my shop wanting to get rid of there PSv's complaining of this very thing. Sounds like you hardly care what other ppl have issues with other then what you think. what eve! And No! Not every one has internet. Atleast you have it

Why do you think it sounds like that? I said "in general". When we talk about millions of people, naturally there are tons of different opinions, so i cant speak for everyone of course. I also said "everyone" (with quote signs), meaning that internet access is very, very common. I know that not everyone have internet access indeed. I know that some people have issues with it, and i'm not speaking for everyone. I'm only talking about people in general

People in general dont factor these things that heavy that it decides if they want to buy a product or not. A good example is Diablo 3. It requires constant internet access, yet it was the fastest selling PC game in history. It has also sold over 10 million copies so far. As long as people are really interested in the product, then they dont care much about stuff like that.

If people had found the Vita to be a really interesting product, then they wouldnt care much about that the Content Manager requires internet access. But the general interest for the Vita is low, and that is mainly because of the price and game selection. I'm sure that someone cares a lot about the Content Manager needing internet access, but in general i cant imagine that this is a big decition maker to buy a Vita or not. That is all i wanted to say

Can i ask where you live by the way? Just curious since you say that several of people complain about needing internet for the Vita content manager and trade in their Vita because of this. Does this mean that you live in a place where internet is uncommon?

Originally Posted by CS67700

Without developers a scene wouldn't exist, without sceners the scene wouldn't exist either.

The scene isnt depended on "sceners" though. With some expections, the developers doesnt make any money or anything on the work that they do, so they arent depended on anyone in this sense. They could do it for themself or share it among other developers as well. And even developers are sceners too, so they cover both groups

I dont think that it is against the rules to say your opinion about this, but it is more about how things are being said.

CS67700 - 10-02-2012, 08:09 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by yes159

The scene isnt depended on "sceners" though. With some expections, the developers doesnt make any money or anything on the work that they do, so they arent depended on anyone in this sense. They could do it for themself or share it among other developers as well. And even developers are sceners too, so they cover both groups

If there was no demand, there would be no offer. Therefor no scene.

You can have all the hax/fixes you want, if no one wants them it's totally useless.

Developers are here because of sceners.

yes159 - 10-02-2012, 08:22 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by CS67700

If there was no demand, there would be no offer. Therefor no scene.

You can have all the hax/fixes you want, if no one wants them it's totally useless.

Developers are here because of sceners.

Demand inst necessary in this case. It is not like i.e a company that are depended on money from the consumers, so that the company can contunie to make new products. The developers can easily do everything that they do for the own personal usage only, and also share it among other developers as well. They arent depended on non-developer's demand for this.

But of course there are developers who are motivated by the fame (nothing wrong with this, it is a natural thing). And without this fame, maybe someone would put less work/effort into it. I guess this is what you're mostly referring to, and in that sense sceners are needed, i agree to that. And obviously the scene would be a lot smaller, but strictly speaking, developers can do everything that they do for own usage, and developers are sceners too Sorry if this sound a bit pedantic, but i just had to say it =)

Ziken - 10-02-2012, 08:40 AM
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lulz. Reading these comments...

It makes me wonder what happen to the older generation that know enough to respect someone who did the impossible or proved that it could be hacked.

And as for console sales going up due to hacks and what not, that mostly because all anyone does is just pirate. Me? I bought the PS3 because the local EBGames store had the last 60GB model in their store and no way was I to let them give it to someone else.

I still have my original PS2, but I never gotten around to hacking it. There wasn't any need to. I like it like that.

And I have two PS3: Slim and original 60GB. The Slim is my tester. I've already seen a lot of homebrew on this that I kinda like it, AND I didn't really care if it stuck on 3.55. Not much great games to play on PS3 that isn't multiplayer games lately.

And as for devs, they're the one that put a lot of effort into this. One of the worst thing anybody could try to do and attempt to do is learning to code and write it. If you don't know what it like to try making one, I highly suggest you learn how and see if it easy to do it. I'll tell you this, devs on PS3 were hard at work to crack it. Geohot was the first to win, but had to fold cuz he didn't have that kind of money to take on Sony in legal court. I don't blame him. But thank to him, the other devs were able to make uses of his work to enable us to get a hack on 3.41 and 3.55.

There was a PSP devs by the name of Dark_(something), I forgot his name but he was the original creator of M33 CFW for PS3. He left the scene mainly for one reason, he taught a fellow dev how to make one for the PSP, only to watch his teaching to that person screw it up and cause most PSP owner to brick their PSP. This devs for the PSVita? Hacking the Sony's console isn't easy. PS3 took a long time to hack, because Sony constantly changed around their security.

And as for X360, I still don't say it worth anything because M$ appear don't know how to encrypt their motherboard for it to be easily hacked through their own DVD-drive. I say that it pretty lame, and then, there also the fact that it doesn't have homebrew like PS3 does.

Before you considered that being a devs meant fame, it isn't always so. Being a devs and sharing your work prove that it can be done. Nowaday, people need fame as an excuse. Also remember that these devs aren't being paid, so for his work to be leaked like that meant there no reason to keep on working if people like you started demanding features to be included. I've seen some CFW that includes certain features, but only at the devs's consideration. However, know that phase "Nothing Free!", well, you're getting something free if that person's didn't have to go all ego-head and show off on youtube that it was possible to make a CFW. And from what I read, it deep kernal as well, which mean that the cfw that was being prep and fixed, was to ensure that you didn't brick your PSV. I've seen incomplete work with excellent guide only to result in a brick that a person go ranting at the devs, and not realize that devs aren't held responsible but you are. There are risk to customizing your console. And Sony is probably the best at making those risk possible by forcing you to update your firmware to the latest just to hop online. X360 only respond to it is to perma-ban you if you go online. Then all you have is a heavystone worthless of piles.

RandQalan - 10-02-2012, 08:51 AM
- Reply
^+1000

CS67700 - 10-02-2012, 09:28 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by yes159

Demand inst necessary in this case. It is not like i.e a company that are depended on money from the consumers, so that the company can contunie to make new products. The developers can easily do everything that they do for the own personal usage only, and also share it among other developers as well. They arent depended on non-developer's demand for this.

But of course there are developers who are motivated by the fame (nothing wrong with this, it is a natural thing). And without this fame, maybe someone would put less work/effort into it. I guess this is what you're mostly referring to, and in that sense sceners are needed, i agree to that. And obviously the scene would be a lot smaller, but strictly speaking, developers can do everything that they do for own usage, and developers are sceners too Sorry if this sound a bit pedantic, but i just had to say it =)

No, that's not what I'm referring to.

Free or not there is always a demand, this is why we create places like this.

A developer satisfying his own needs isn't a scene on his own, he's just a developer programing stuff for his convenience.

You need offer and demand, it always works like this, it's a mutual exchange.

yes159 - 10-02-2012, 11:11 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by CS67700

No, that's not what I'm referring to.

Free or not there is always a demand, this is why we create places like this.

A developer satisfying his own needs isn't a scene on his own, he's just a developer programing stuff for his convenience.

You need offer and demand, it always works like this, it's a mutual exchange.

Sure, that is true. I just mean that the hacking process could happen fine without any non-developers, so it isnt 100% mutual in that way. The non-developers add the fame that many developers seek, so they add something in that way

CaelThunderwing - 10-02-2012, 02:12 PM
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coldbird kinda had a good reason i mean look when piracy became Widespread beyond belief on th PSP, people bought less and less PSP games, which inturn left developers either give up on the PSP, or games were not leaving Japan (many games now adays is hitting that reason under of the excuse "Piracy in America" (aka Digimon ReDigiztize is one such game and all future Megaman games)

the Vita allready struggling , piracy on vita would just put a Nail in the Coffin though Coldbird if he was against piracy like *he who shalnot be named that copped out of the PS3 by signing a contract w/ sony *Coughgeohot* was, could of put measures in the CFW, to Not load PSP or Vita iso's

DemonicStrife - 10-02-2012, 02:37 PM
- Reply
As much as I respect Coldbird, looking at how locked down and encrypted the CFW was, I don't think the dev had any real reason to leave over the leak, seeing as no one could use it anyway. I can understand how he feels though.

But let's be honest here. For what reason do we honestly need this CFW for, other than piracy? It's the main reason game development on the PSP stagnated, and the Vita is in a very shit position right now. Releasing this CFW to the public in a usable state would not be a system seller for the Vita, because according to this article, it would only be able to do things PSP-related anyway, and that system already has CFW. It's the reason I still have mine.

So really, the only reason most people are bitching at Coldbird about this is because they're a bunch of assholes who feel they're super-entitled to a bunch of free work and free games.

ace99 - 10-02-2012, 03:18 PM
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(Sigh...) I actually went through all 3 pages of replies, and they really depress me about the PS Vita. I bought it on release day, and even bought a game before that. (My local shop had them out a week early.) It was the first machine I have ever bought on release. Now, until another good game comes out, I'll leave it at 1.81, and wait for a CFW of some sort.

I now call it my Portable Youtube Machine. (Or PYM)

stingray1059 - 10-02-2012, 03:59 PM
- Reply
cmon piracy didnt kill the psp.. ds has piracy too. yet new games are still being released. xbox360 games are being leaked before release date. only a sd card is needed to mod the wii. so what killed it?