Ever since the PlayStation 4 was released two years ago, hackers have been trying to crack the system, with most attempts having limited success. Just recently though, a hacker has managed to jailbreak the console via a FreeBSD kernal exploit, which allows other hackers to break into their own consoles. Homebrew group fail0verflow is one such group, and they’ve managed to install Linux onto the PlayStation 4.
While the whole process of installing Linux to the PlayStation 4 is highly technical, the gist of the attempt is that Sony’s Orbis OS is based on a Unix-like software called FreeBSD. By using a WebKit bug similar to the one discovered by GitHub user Cturt, the group is able to trick the PS4 into freeing processes from the core of the console’s operating system by an improvised webpage. Once done, fail0verflow began to identify weaknesses in the console’s GPU. This process eventually culminates with the group installing Linux onto their PS4.
For those of you interested in attempting this, keep in mind that this entire process relies on the PlayStation 4 having the 1.76 firmware. If you’ve recently updated your console, this method is no longer applicable. Jailbreakers believe however, that the method could be altered in order to achieve the same outcome on more recent firmwares.
Also, just in case you’re wondering, this hack DOES NOT allow owners to install pirated games, so you’ll still have to buy your games.
