[Mashiro]

Hello Post4VPS Gamers,

I would like to talk about a rather special but very interesting subject in the world of gaming and especially gaming consoles such as the PlayStation and so on. The subject is already mentioned in the title but if needed again here it is: PlayStation 4 Kernel Exploits. While this subject might be in the grey area of legality it is still a subject that should be at least allowed to be discussed, but without encouraging any kind of illegal activity such as piracy or copyright infringement.

So I would like to ask everyone to stay clear, calm and civilized while taking your part in this discussion.


What are kernel exploits for the PlayStation 4?

A kernel exploit is a hack that exploits a security flaw in a core part of the PlayStation 4 firmware and through this gains access to the system on a very low level. Possessing access to the console on system level means a lot of permissions that a normal console user would not normally have. And this in returns allows to install additional applications outside the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Network such as backups of games for example.

On the other hand however this also bears special risks and problems. It is also not always possible on every firmware version. A list of supported firmware versions is available below. I've also listed the main features that work and what does not work so far.


How do these kernel exploits work?

The PlayStation 4 OS has a web browser built into it that is based on the Webkit engine (this engine is widely used in browsers such as Chromium, Google Chrome, Opera and many more). Certain PlayStation 4 OS firmware versions use old Webkit engine verions that have critial security flaws. Through this flaws it is possible to gain access to the lower levels of the PS4 OS and unlock a Debug menu with access to options that are meant for developers.

Once the exploit is executed successfully the PlayStation has super user access until the next reboot. With such a wide array of permissions the user can install backups of games, applications, themes and etc. The installed games and applications can only be played while the PS4 is running in exploited mode. So after a reboot the game is still listed but won't work until the exploit is ran again.

There are multiple ways to apply the exploit to unlock full access on system level:

• Use of special DNS servers that route the page of the "Help" page in settings to a site with the exploit.
  
• Visit the exploit site via the PlayStation 4 web browser and run the exploit.
  
• Host a local exploit website and visit it on the PlayStation 4 through the browser.
  
• Host the exploit website via a Android App and visit it on the PS4 to run the exploit.
  
• Host a copy of the exploit website on a server (e.g. on a Raspberry Pi or similar) and visit it on the PS4.
  
• Use a small dedicated device with a web server and the exploit website (PS4 ESP8266 devices).
  

Which PlayStation 4 OS Firmware versions are supported?

The following PlayStation 4 OS Firmware versions are supported and public exploits are available:

• 5.07 and below
  
• 5.05 and below
  
• 4.55 and below
  
• 4.05
  
• 1.76
  

Firmware above 5.05/5.07 are currently not supported BUT a private kernel exploit for firmware versions above 5.05/5.07 exists. So support might be coming soon.

If you are on one of this firmware version DISABLE AUTOMATIC FIRMWARE UPDATES and DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR FIRMWARE!

Firmware version 5.05 or 5.07 is recommended. If you're on a older version you can upgrade to 5.05 via a USB upgrade.


What does work and what does not?

What does work:

• Decrypted backups of games can be installed from PS4 formatted HDDs (exFAT).
  
• The above mentioned games can be played offline.
  
• Certain applications can be installed for Homebrew usage.
  
• Decrypted backups of games can be installed and played on/from external PS4 formatted HDDs (exFAT).
  
• Saves from other PlayStations 4 for games can be migrated and used with games.
  
• Custom themes can be installed and used.
  
• Games can be updated through special applications.
  

What does not work:

• PlayStation Network cannot be used.
  
• PlayStation Store cannot be used.
  
• Applications from the PlayStation Store don't work (a few exclusions work).
  
• Playing online is not possible.
  
• Persistent exploit not possible at the moment (has to be reapplied after a reboot).
  

Resources
- http://wololo.net/ps4-jailbreak-ps4-cfw4dummies/
- https://www.psxhax.com/articles/ps4-jail...7/category
- https://www.psxhax.com/articles/ps4-cfw-...6/category
- https://www.psxhax.com/articles/ps4-guid...4/category


Final words

- What are your thoughts on this subject and have you already heard about this?
- Are you interested in owning a exploited console and playing around with it?
- Are you a lucky owner of a console with supported firmware and have you maybe already used the exploits?

Just tell us your thoughts, ideas, concerns and so on. This is a open discussion topic about the subject .




* USING ANY OF THE EXPLOITS AND FOLLOWING ANY TUTORIALS TO EXPLOIT YOUR PS 4 IS DONE ON YOUR OWN RISK. NEITHER I NOR POST4VPS OR ANYONE ELSE FROM THE LINKED WEBSITES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE OR OTHER ISSUES! *