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The Nintendo Switch, which released only a very very short time ago, has already had its gears and circuits criss-crossed and rearranged by hackers. Now, the console lacks visible web browser, but there’s something else at work inside of it that allows unwanted intrusion: the Apple Webkit. Yep, Nintendo, in their lordly wisdom, saw fit to equip their hybrid with the 9.3 version, rather than the patched 9.3.5 one. The original sported a little hole that left iOS devices open to malware, and a certain hacker by the name of qwertyoruiop (why not just qwertyuiop?) was able to break into the Switch with jut a little extra effort.
How? By modifying his iOS-targeting code to the console. Funny how simplistic that makes it sound, but what exactly are the possibilities implied here? Say we all start hacking our Switches – what can we do with them once we’re in? Turns out, not a whole lot. It is, after all, in its infancy. However, you’ve probably heard about using the Switch to surf the web and watch videos. If not, here’s a video detailing the process.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K481zcCVhFo[/embedyt]
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Or you could just, you know, use your PC or your phone to do that.
Nintendo must have known about the Webkit’s vulnerability, which makes it all the more puzzling considering the company’s seeming paranoia over their property and IPs being taken. Of course, having users browse the web on the Switch isn’t exactly a catastrophe, and they can always patch this stuff. As for the Webkit exploit, hackers might eventually gain access to the system’s kernel (the core program running everything). This might eventually allow someone to play modded games on the system, assuming no firmware update fixes the hole. The exploit, like the system itself, has barely even been born yet, but other cracks in the system’s armor are sure to be found as time goes on – just look at all the other consoles out there.
No really, take a look. The Nerd Stash has plenty of techie info for you to enjoy – no hacking required.
Matt Eschbach is a PC, Mac and Android indie game developer and fiction writer. His works have won multiple monetary awards from various contests. Graduating college in 2012 with a major in Game Design, Matt spends his time making stuff up and then building it. His favorite hobby… is sleeping.
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