Trojan download will render PSP unbootable
First Sony PSP Trojan rears ugly head
/v3-uk/news/1943292/first-sony-psp-trojan-rears-ugly-head
07 Oct 2005, Tom Sanders in California , V3
Security researchers have detected the first malware for Sony's Playstation Portable (PSP).
The Trojan masquerades as a download tool that promises to modify the firmware on the gaming device so that users can load unauthorised applications. Instead it deletes important system files and renders the device unbootable.
Security firm F-Secure has analysed and confirmed the report. Symantec refers to the exploit as Trojan.PSPBrick and labels it as a category 1 threat, the lowest level on its five-step scale as it does not spread to other devices.
The file claims to be crafted by 'PSP Team', according to a report on the PSP Updates enthusiast website.
Ever since Sony released the first version of the portable gaming device, the company has been trying to catch up with developers that use it for custom applications.
Sony designed the PSP for games, photos, music and internet browsing. Developers have added numerous applications that allow the device to display text files, for instance, or streaming music from the internet.
The latest model ships with an upgraded version 2.0 of the firmware that blocks users from installing 'homebrew' applications.
But it was not long before developers discovered a buffer overflow vulnerability in the software that allowed them to install the previous 1.5 version.
Tools that made it easier to downgrade the firmware soon started circulating on the internet.
At the time of going to press Sony had not returned phone calls seeking further information.
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Do you agree?
Scary
Dats scary man. wot if ur PSP just crashes and u gotta get a new 1
Posted by John Smith, 07 Oct 2005
strange brew
There is always some idiots out there trying to ruin our fun :o(
Shame because "home-brew" is where it's at for the PSP! All these other things you can do with your PSP that Sony apparently don't think you want or need to do!?!
Free the PSP!!
Posted by freeradical, 19 Oct 2005
GET A LIFE
IN RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO THINK ITS COOL TO SCREW WITH THE PSP-LISTEN UP.
I ONCE HAD A DS SYSTEM BUT IT GOT STOLEN. NOW I HAVE A PSP,AND LET ME TELL YOU,WE HAVE OURSELVES A CLEAR WINNER.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO MESS WITH SOMETHING DESIGNED FOR FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT? YOU ARE DESTROYING THE PSP BY ILLEGALLY ALTERING IT AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO OTHERS SO THAT THEY TO CAN DESTROY THEIR PSP. DAMN IDIOTS! IF THIS SHOULD INTERFERE WITH MY ENJOYMENT OF THE PSP ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE, HOPE I DONT FIND OUT WHO YOU ARE. IF I DONT NOTIFY SONY(CAN YOU SAY"PRESS CHARGES") I'LL DO THEM THE FAVOR. GET A LIFE!
Posted by R. MCCORMICK, 20 Nov 2005
question!
if one would buy the psp to day, des 2005, it would ship with 2.5 firmware. now is it possible to downgrade that to a 1.5?
Posted by K, 13 Dec 2005
in responce to: get a life
if you own a psp it's yours to do what ever the heck you want with it.. it's not illegal to modify it. free country dude..
Posted by k, 13 Dec 2005
Downgrading to 1.5 Firmware
Hi
My boys got PSP's from Santa what a nice chap he is. They now are looking to downgrade to 1.5 from 2.1. As a concerned dad is it an easy non problematic thing to do, any hidden hitches etc. On a seperate note they are online with it and are looking to msn with friends is that an option, would it still be available with downgrade to 1.5?
Posted by David Cooke, 28 Dec 2005
why?
would you seriously want to mess your PSP up? what a waste of money because 99.9% of the time people dont have a damn clue what they're doing and tend to fuck their PSP up
Posted by ersf, 01 Sep 2006