Hacking the Xbox

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170 Hacking the Xbox: An Introduction to Reverse Engineering (Profile: Milosch Meriac, continued) networks and satellites. I found out that one has the power to change things by explaining technology to average users or by helping companies to secure their products. Today I am aware of my power as whitehat hacker. Every person in today’s life is affected by information technologies: surveillance techniques, data mining, information warfare, Digital Milllenium Copyright Act, TCPA, digital rights management, new interpretations of copyright and patent law are growing like mushrooms after monsoon rain. Like in my past I ache to peek behind these beautiful and bright entities, and hopefully find the bugs and traps before they find us. Can you tell us about your experience with the Xbox-Linux project? I joined the Xbox Linux project and helped to get the kernel running, which was tricky because the Xbox architecture has some traps and differences compared to a personal computer. I created the early Linux distributions for Microsoft’s Xbox. This was important because we had only 1 MB flash available to store the complete distribution and the kernel, and the hard disk wasn’t unlocked yet. I also provided a console driver for Andy Green’s filtror device, so we were able to see the kernel boot messages and get a linux console by using his device as some sort of remote interface. This distribution already included network drivers, soundcard drivers, mp3 support, a telnet server, webserver, NFS support, and a broad range of standard linux tools. This enabled us to get rid of our custom-made hardware and allowed hundreds of people to join the project, either as code contributors or as test persons. We had no screen output yet, so I added a framebuffer interface to the Xbox Linux kernel and made many other contributions. The number of contributing developers started to grow enormously. We get awesome help from all over the world to make Xbox Linux possible. Some stay hidden because they are afraid of legal uncertainties like the DMCA in United States, while others can contribute freely. Do you have any other comments you would like to share? Some people may ask why full-grown people like me fiddle about with this Xbox toy. Every person certainly has his own reasons; my reason is to improve my skills and to learn more about recent technologies. The Microsoft Xbox for instance is the predecessor of a TCPA/Palladium protected computer, with all the technical and social implications. It’s a fine playground for my research on more secure computer systems without pressing users. One of the main reasons is our community. It’s really fun and a great pleasure to work together with these bright geeks — online and especially offline in a pub with pints of fine beer. I am amazed every day by the growing strength of our community. Thanks to all for making this possible!
Chapter 11 - Developing Software for the Xbox 171 the part of the hack’s implementer, as it helps ensure that the hack is not directly useful for applications such as piracy. Implementing security measures that protect Microsoft’s interests may help save the Xbox-Linux project from the wrath of Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice. Looking forward, the success of Project B could spell either a new age for Xbox hacking, or the demise of Xbox hacking. Even though Project B hackers have demonstrated social conscience and good will by trying to protect Microsoft’s interests, it is impossible to prevent less scrupulous hackers from reverse engineering the hack and eventually figuring out how to reproduce the technique in some less Microsoft-friendly form. The end result could either be a harsh crackdown by Microsoft upon all hacking activity, or Microsoft exiting the video game business altogether since their revenue stream would be cut off like Sega’s in the Dreamcast piracy debacle. Or, Microsoft could just elect to plow more money into the business and release a redesigned console that incorporates patches and countermeasures for known security holes. The outcome will depend heavily upon how events unfold in the next few months. However, with deep price cuts on the horizon for the Xbox and rumors of a thoroughly redesigned “shrink” version of the console floating around, it seems that Microsoft’s near-term strategy is to focus its energies on storming the market instead of stemming fair-use or piracy. After all, every Playstation2 or Gamecube sold probably has a worse effect on Microsoft’s business than every Xbox converted to run GNU/Linux, or even an Xbox converted to run pirated games. OpenXDK Many interesting and useful projects for the Xbox, such as the XboxMediaPlayer and MAME-X (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator for the Xbox), have been developed for the native Xbox gaming platform. Unfortunately, these programs were developed using unauthorized versions of the Microsoft Xbox SDK (Software Development Kit). Microsoft’s Xbox SDK is supposed to be available only to approved, licensed developers. However, the SDK was leaked even before the console was launched, and since then many have used the leaked Xbox SDK for creating their own Xbox programs. While the proprietary Xbox SDK is convenient and easy to use, it is also technically illegal to use. The lack of a legal SDK for the native Xbox platform makes it difficult to attract a large base of open-source developers. The OpenXDK project was created to address the need for a legal alternative to the Xbox SDK. OpenXDK’s stated goal is to create a legal development kit for creating Xbox Executables (XBEs). OpenXDK will allow users to create native XBE files that, when signed with the appropriate digital signature, could run on a vanilla Xbox. Since this appropriate digital signature is as of yet unknown, this work is done in anticipation of a legal technology that enables interoperability with programs developed using the OpenXDK.
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In memory of Aaron Swartz
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CHAPTER 4 Building a USB Adapter Ca
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Strategy Chapter 4 - Building a USB
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Chapter 4 - Building a USB Adapter
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CHAPTER 5 Replacing a Broken Power
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Chapter 5 - Replacing a Broken Powe
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APPENDIX D Getting Started with FPG
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Appendix D - Getting Started with F
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APPENDIX F Xbox Hardware Reference
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Appendix F - Xbox Hardware Referenc
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Appendix F - Xbox Hardware Referenc
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DVD-ROM Power Connector Appendix F
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Fan Connector Appendix F - Xbox Har
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