Hackers Find Nintendo Switch 2 Exploit Day After Launch — Minor Hack Enables Custom Code on OS

Sure thing, let me take a whack at this. So, um, here’s the scoop as I see it…

Alright, so, it’s like this hacker dude, David Buchanan or something—I think that’s his name, right?—yeah, he’s been poking around the just-released Nintendo Switch 2, like, no kidding, not that it’s a surprise or anything. Anyway, David’s found this kind of loophole, or weakness, whatever you want to call it, in the console’s library. Sounds all technical, but hang in there with me.

So, about this vulnerability, there’s this fancy-schmancy term: userland Return-Oriented Programming exploit. I mean, who comes up with these names? Basically, he’s rewriting a program’s return path. It’s like trying to send your mailman to a totally different address. (Does that metaphor even work? Maybe not. Moving on.) He makes this console do funky stuff like play checkerboard graphics—yeah, I didn’t get that either at first glance.

And there’s a pic floating around—imagine a random checkerboard on your screen. Not sure what it does besides look, um, unique? Artistic statement maybe? Nah, probably just geek coolness.

Here’s the thing, though. It’s a user-level sort of deal. So, we’re talking like the software walls aren’t totally coming down. Nintendo’s core controls? Still buttoned up like a tight lid on grandma’s cookie jar. No console-shattering jailbreak here, sorry folks. David even mentioned it might as well be a YouTube vid on replay. Honestly, not sure why I find this hilarious. Devs and modders out there gave him the nod though, said it’s legit.

Now, Nintendo? They’ve got bodyguards protecting their stuff. They’ve said stuff about bricking your console if you mess around. Yikes, right? Switch 2’s shiny user agreement reads like an instruction not to touch the hot stove.

Still, the gadget’s fresh off the shelf. We’re talking days, weeks, or heck, maybe years before someone flips Nintendo’s defenses on their head and customizes the heck out of it. Could get wild if some genius finally rewires it all. I can only imagine Nintendo’s corporate panic dance when that day rolls around. 🤷‍♂️

Stay tuned to Tom’s Hardware if this hasn’t been your daily gossip yet. Catch ya later!