nso2elf — Python NSO to ELF converter with LZ4 and ZBIC support

[Eiffel2018]

Hi everyone,

I made nso2elf, a Python alternative to nx2elf, after encountering this error with a newer NSO:

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The affected file used ZBIC compression, so the existing LZ4 decoder could not handle it. This tool supports both older LZ4-compressed NSOs and newer ZBIC-compressed NSOs, as well as uncompressed segments.


Features

• Converts ARM64 NSO files into ELF files for analysis.
• Preserves segment addresses, permissions, BSS, and available NX metadata.
• Exposes dynamic symbols, relocation tables, MOD0, and supported unwind metadata.
• Reports the NSO Build ID and locates matching embedded GNU Build ID notes.
• Prints segment information and SHA-256 digests in a format similar to nx2elf.
• Can also export an uncompressed NSO.

Usage
Requires Python 3.10 or newer:

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This creates main.elf. To choose an output path:

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LZ4 support uses only the Python standard library. For ZBIC support, install the optional dependency:

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The converter has been checked against real LZ4 and ZBIC samples. All 20 automated tests pass on Windows and Linux with Python 3.10 and 3.12.

The output is intended for static analysis; relocations are preserved but are not applied. Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot identification is planned for a future update.
Bug reports and compatibility feedback are welcome!

 

[pspmaster]

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Post automatically merged: Oct 9, 2026

useful tool. thanks. I tested it with Ys vs. Trails in the Sky Alternative Saga UPD v1.0.9 (v327680)[22.5.0].nsp, it worked perfectly. this tool should be helpful to handle the zbic compressed main file.

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FYI . I wrote a README and .bat for windows user

 

[pspmaster]

Could you update the tool for the output decompressed ZBIC main file that it can be used by zzpong's code updater?

 

[Eiffel2018]

Could you update the tool for the output decompressed ZBIC main file that it can be used by zzpong's code updater?

OK, I'll post an update version tomorrow in his topic

Post automatically merged: Saturday at 11:40 PM

Done https://gbatemp.net/download/intera...v1-1-4-unofficial-zbic-modern-keys-fix.40055/ please test

 

[pspmaster]

error:

D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater\Interactive ASM Cheats Updater>..\.venv\Scripts\python.exe __main__.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater\Interactive ASM Cheats Updater\__main__.py", line 5, in <module>
from utilities.interface import CodeUpdaterInterface
File "D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater\Interactive ASM Cheats Updater\utilities\interface.py", line 4, in <module>
from capstone import *
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'capstone'

but I confirmed I installed capstone, refer to the log.txt and FYI：

D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater>pip install capstone
Collecting capstone
Downloading capstone-5.0.9-py3-none-win_amd64.whl.metadata (3.4 kB)
Downloading capstone-5.0.9-py3-none-win_amd64.whl (1.3 MB)
---------------------------------------- 1.3/1.3 MB 2.2 MB/s 0:00:01
Installing collected packages: capstone
Successfully installed capstone-5.0.9

 

[Eiffel2018]

error:

D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater\Interactive ASM Cheats Updater>..\.venv\Scripts\python.exe __main__.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater\Interactive ASM Cheats Updater\__main__.py", line 5, in <module>
from utilities.interface import CodeUpdaterInterface
File "D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater\Interactive ASM Cheats Updater\utilities\interface.py", line 4, in <module>
from capstone import *
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'capstone'

but I confirmed I installed capstone, refer to the log.txt and FYI：

D:\Tools\Code Updater for Nintendo Switch v1.1.4\Interactive-ASM-Cheats-Updater>pip install capstone
Collecting capstone
Downloading capstone-5.0.9-py3-none-win_amd64.whl.metadata (3.4 kB)
Downloading capstone-5.0.9-py3-none-win_amd64.whl (1.3 MB)
---------------------------------------- 1.3/1.3 MB 2.2 MB/s 0:00:01
Installing collected packages: capstone
Successfully installed capstone-5.0.9

Your log shows the packages were installed into global Python 3.9, while the application runs using .venv. The virtual environment therefore cannot find capstone.

From the folder containing __main__.py, run these commands in Command Prompt:

..\.venv\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -r requirements.txt
..\.venv\Scripts\python.exe __main__.py
The first command installs all required dependencies into the same environment used by the application. Creating .venv alone does not activate it.

(should be py 3.12 or 3.14 i believe)

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 7:24 AM

Should be py 3.12 or 3.14 in .venv i believe, it will not affect your python 3.9 globally

----

I’d checked Python 3.9 compatibility and the commands for installing and running globally.
Yes—Python 3.9 works. I tested the patched source on Python 3.9, and all 10 tests passed. ZBIC also provides a Python 3.9 Windows package.

To install or update dependencies in his global Python 3.9, run these commands from the folder containing __main__.py:

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Using py -3.9 explicitly selects Python 3.9 for both installation and launch. The -m pip form ties pip to that interpreter.

Global installation will not update .venv, so you should launch with py -3.9 __main__.py.

 

[pspmaster]

Your log shows the packages were installed into global Python 3.9, while the application runs using .venv. The virtual environment therefore cannot find capstone.

From the folder containing __main__.py, run these commands in Command Prompt:

..\.venv\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -r requirements.txt
..\.venv\Scripts\python.exe __main__.py
The first command installs all required dependencies into the same environment used by the application. Creating .venv alone does not activate it.

(should be py 3.12 or 3.14 i believe)

Post automatically merged: Sunday at 7:24 AM

Should be py 3.12 or 3.14 in .venv i believe, it will not affect your python 3.9 globally

----

I’d checked Python 3.9 compatibility and the commands for installing and running globally.
Yes—Python 3.9 works. I tested the patched source on Python 3.9, and all 10 tests passed. ZBIC also provides a Python 3.9 Windows package.

To install or update dependencies in his global Python 3.9, run these commands from the folder containing __main__.py:

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Using py -3.9 explicitly selects Python 3.9 for both installation and launch. The -m pip form ties pip to that interpreter.

Global installation will not update .venv, so you should launch with py -3.9 __main__.py.

Thank you very much. I'm using python3.9. use

py -3.9 __main__.py

to lanunch succeessfully.