Uncovered Wii U software exploit from salvaged and recycled Nintendo factory SD cards, with the team sharing the 'paid-for-access' hack on Github.
Hackers Access and Recover Data from Damaged Nintendo SD Cards
Console hackers WinCurious and DeadlyFoez have made a significant breakthrough in accessing and recovering data from damaged Nintendo SD cards used for the factory setup of Wii U consoles. Here's a detailed account of their methods:
Physical Repair of SD Cards
Many of the SD cards recovered from Nintendo factories were damaged, with about 25% having destroyed dies and flash memory ICs. However, the remaining 75% had PCB damage, which could be repaired. Repairs included resoldering or replacing the PCB or simply straightening the card to make it readable.
Data Recovery Techniques
Directly reading the SD cards using standard readers was not straightforward due to the damage and the need for specialized techniques. The team considered using an external programmer to read the NAND flash memory directly, but this wasn't feasible due to compatibility issues with the TSOP 48 chips used on the Nintendo SD cards.
Workarounds and Exploit Development
After recovering data, the team discovered an exploit that could be used to restore software-bricked Wii U consoles. This was posted to GitHub as the "paid the beak" exploit. The exploit leverages the recovered data to create a boot image that can restore functionality to bricked consoles.
SDBoot1 and Booting from the SD Card
SDBoot1 allows the group to run their code when the Wii U console boots, serving as a vulnerability initially discovered during the Wii U's factory setup. To boot from the SD card, you'd need a rare Nintendo jig, a Raspberry Pi Pico, or a PICAXE 08M2 microcontroller to trigger UNSTBL_PWR on your console.
Using Donor SD Cards
WinCurious suggested using a donor SD card and replacing its NAND chip with a TSOP 48 clip to access the data on the discarded memory cards. This method allows for easier data recovery without the need for extensive physical repairs.
The "Paid the Beak" Exploit
DeadlyFoez used an infrared preheater for the soldering process, which worked well enough for these tasks. The group wrote an exploit called "paid the beak" and uploaded it on GitHub. This exploit has proven to be a valuable tool for recovering data from damaged SD cards and restoring functionality to bricked Wii U consoles.
Staying Updated
To stay updated with our news, analysis, and reviews, follow Tom's Hardware on Google News. This breakthrough in accessing and recovering data from damaged Nintendo SD cards not only opens up new possibilities for console hacking but also makes experimenting with Wii U hardware a little more accessible.
- Gadgets such as the Nintendo SD cards used in Wii U consoles have proven to be valuable after hackers successfully recovered data from damaged ones, showcasing the potential hidden within seemingly ordinary technology.
- Among the various gadgets involved in the process, smartphones, specifically Raspberry Pi Pico and PICAXE 08M2 microcontrollers, played a crucial role in booting from the SD card and triggering UNSTBL_PWR on a Wii U console.
