[Pirate]

Hackers have managed to reverse the code on the ECC protection on the PS3. What is the ECC Protection? The ECC protection basically kept the PS3 from booting with a custom flashed rom, with the ECC now claimed to be reversed, we can now generate custom ones to allow the rom to boot! The hackers have also claimed that through the reversing of the ECC they have found where the encypted keys are stored for SELF's, PKG's etc.

They also report that they were able to recover a "bricked" PS3 through this (bad flash recovery).

Originally Posted by http://www.ps3scene.com/news/static/Playstation3FlashECCAlgorithmReversed-1222105885.php First, a small technical explanation. We were not able to modify any data on the PS3's flash chips due to the ECC. The ECC is a checksum basically, that ensures whatever data is in the block is not changed or corrupted, and if it is it errors. So, the problem was since when we tried to alter data, the ECC would then in turn be invalid, causing errors, making the system not boot. We did develop a way around this, however, it was time consuming and quite slow. We used the PS3 to write data to the flash, then dump it, with its proper ECC, then rewrite to where we needed it. This would take hours on end! We were not able to regenerate the ECC since we did not know the proper algorithm. But now, we can!! After multiple tests done by NDT to see what the ECC algorithm was when the block was filled with some magic data, our very own RPS was able to reverse the algorithm! What does this mean? Simple, we are now able to in minutes properly edit a flash dump, regenerate the ECC and flash it onto the PS3 in order to experiment with flash changes. Using this, we have already found where the encrypted keys are stored for SELF's, PKG's, and BD Pairing among other things, more on that in the weeks to come. Furthermore, NDT implemented RPS's ECC regeneration code into his newest FlowRebuilder, which will be posted next week! Finally, this has already saved one PS3! Hacked2123's PS3, which bit the dust long ago due to a bad flash was recently fixed thanks to RPS's ECC Regeneration code which was built into NDT's newest FlowRebuilder! His PS3 had bad data that did not match the ECC data, resulting in a plethora of issues. However, as described here, it is now fixed!

More research is currently still being done, we will keep you updated on their progress.

UPDATE: It is unconfirmed if this was done on a TEST PS3, or a Retail PS3 with INFECTUS chip installed.

[Spiker]

So this pretty much mean's PS3 Hacking is on its way, and soon that is, correct?

[Californian]

Yipeee!
Bye bye PS3 restrictions, hello homebrew!
Or should I say,
Hello World!

[Spiker]

There wont be much of a Hello World, as 'Hello World' is to show exploits that are, well, exploit..able. Anyways, this just lets us load stuff like a debug firmware if needed, which we can do a **** load on, lol.

We can now change stuff on the PS3 system, and throw it back on, but think about what it is going to take to recode the firmware...interesting...

[Ihatecompvir]

So what all we need to do is decrypt/write our own firmware and it will boot if we do it correctly?

Is downgrading now possible to anyone who does this?

[Spiker]

possably, but we would need a source code to the file system, which the hack dev's have. So we are working on it, lol. But remember, nothing is really amazing at lower firmware's.

[Ihatecompvir]

I would ATLEAST like to see the game category in the XMB Renamed to "Ihatecompvir wuz here lol"

That would be so rad, but I don't think it would fit.
I believe the PS3 is about to be hacked

Scratch that, it IS hacked, I just want a hack to be released to the public.

[Spiker]

I am going to take a wild guess, and bring your guy's hope's up for a moment.

I have a prediction that something major will happen in about 2 - 3 weeks. Major enough to be able to mod the firmware, or atleast some news of it. The progress we have no has made it all possible. "LET DO THIS! STREETSKATER FUUUUUUUUUUUUUU" ((Leroyyyy Jenkins)

[FreePlayPSP]

I'm pretty sure this is done on a devkit system or with an Infectus... seeing how there's no way to use the PS3 to write to flash on a stock retail system.

[BobbyBlunt]

With access to the flash, custom firmware and downgraders are now possible. It will take some time but we now have an open window. A lot of progress has been made. I wonder who is going to be the first to write a custom firmware. I have experience with C++ and Visual Basic. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know. I understand that Basic will not help in this situation.