Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony dismisses next-gen PSP talk

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, a Sony spokesperson has dismissed rumours that a new version of the PSP is currently in development.

The rumours emerged following the appearance an article in the US version of PSM magazine, excerpts of which were widely reported (and in some cases misreported) online.

The article predicts the arrival of a new version of the PSP in March, claiming that developers have already "been briefed on Sony's plans". It goes on to say that according to "sources familiar with its development", the new PSP will be "thinner and lighter" than the original model.

But a Sony spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz: "We currently have no plans to release another version of the PSP."

However, the spokesperson did confirm that the new add-ons for the handheld will be a highlight of Sony's line-up at the Tokyo Game Show later this month, stating, "The camera and GPS peripherals will be the main attraction, and a total of 16 titles will be showcased to demonstrate the strong line-up of software that will be released towards the year." These will include GPS-compatible titles such as Everybody's Golf Course and Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops.

As previously announced, more than 25 PS3 games will be playable at the event, and videos of a further 35 will also be shown. "Of those 35, some will be newly announced titles, and some will be updates of software announced or shown at E3," the spokesperson said.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz

2.71 Downgrader Released, Tested!

Using the recently discovered libTIFF vulnerability, Dark Alex has done it again by successfully testing and releasing a 2.71 downdater. This is a direct port of his 2.50/2.60 downdater so it functions the same way only without GTA. For those of you with TA-082 motherboards, this downdater will not work. But rest assured, for 0okm is working on his softdown method for the once thought to be cursed PSPs. Please realize that you use this utility at your own risk. This utility can potentially damage your PSP beyond repair.

I was able to execute the downdater successfully. It crashed on the first try but exected on the 2nd to successfully downgrade my 2.71 PSP!

Download the downgrader now in my homebrew software library. It comes packaged with the needed 1.50 helper utility to dump the firmware from a 1.50 PSP.

Source: PSPUpdates

FrSIRT Rates PSP libTIFF Exploit As "High Risk"

The French Security Incident Response Team has rated the new libTIFF exploit for PSP firmwares 2.00 to 2.80 as a "high risk." What does this mean for PSP owners? Well it means that firmware version 2.81 is on it's way very soon. The being said, if you have any aspirations of continuing to run homebrew on your 2.80 or lower PSP, DON'T UPGRADE TO 2.81 when it is released. Here's what FrSIRT has to say about it...

Technical Description

A vulnerability has been identified in Sony PSP, which could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary commands. This flaw is due to an error in the Photo Viewer when handling malformed TIFF images using libTIFF, which could be exploited by attackers to compromise a vulnerable device by tricking a user into opening a malicious image.

Check out the full FrSIRT listing here...

Source: FrSIRT & PSPUpdates

SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Ultra II for $104.99 @ Outpost.com

Outpost.com/Fry's Electronics has the SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Ultra II on sale for $104.99 after a $20 rebate. As of the time of this post they are in stock so head on over to Outpost.com or your local Fry's and get in on this great deal.

Source: Outpost.com & PSPUpdates