Hacking Question Does the "Match Local Users" feature have a CRC check on game updates?

[Elliander]

A few years back I posted a question here regarding the idea of using "Match Local Users" to push a CFW onto an otherwise unmodded Switch. Well, on a related note, I wonder if there is any way to push a modified game update to an unmodified Switch which could then run unsigned code?

I'm asking in large part because I want to update Animal Crossing on an unmodified Switch without updating to the latest firmware. I found an NSP update file for updating Animal Crossing 1.6 for Switch Firmware 10.2, and was thinking that if I installed that onto a modified Switch I could then use "Match Local Users" to push it to an unmodified Switch, but I am concerned about the possibility of someone creating a bad update that runs malicious code. For the modified Switch, I can just create a NAND dump and maintain a backup of the emuNAND (always keep backups) but even though I can make a NAND dump of an unmodified Switch if I take it online after restoring the NAND it would get banned because the logs won't match anymore.

So, in this case, I'd prefer it if it wasn't possible. So, is it possible to use "Match Local Users" to install unsigned code onto a Switch console? If the Switch has some sort of CRC check that would prevent it I imagine. Alternatively, if modifying the update makes it unsigned and if being unsigned made it no longer work that would prevent the issue as well.

If it is possible what steps can I take to make sure I have a good update so the unmodified Switches don't get banned or damaged?

 

[hippy dave]

An unmodified Switch will only install & run unmodified updates that are signed by Nintendo.

 

[Elliander]

So, if an update was modified in any way, what would happen during Match Local Users?

 

[eyeliner]

So, if an update was modified in any way, what would happen during Match Local Users?

Nope. Don't install a pirated nsp. Ever.

 

[hippy dave]

So, if an update was modified in any way, what would happen during Match Local Users?

Probably an obscure error code (and update not installed).

 

[Draxzelex]

So, if an update was modified in any way, what would happen during Match Local Users?

The update will definitely not be installed and I'm not even sure if it is safe to do from a banning perspective.

 

[Deleted member 514389]

Thank goodness it's that way.

Otherwise Ninty'd remove that feature in no time.
For all that is holy, hackers should stay away from that.

Thats the one reason why I'm far more at ease with the switch than all other post 2015 consoles:
If push comes to shove, you can pull a game update from another switch.

Ingenious. Especially on the road.

 

[RadChad]

A few years back I posted a question here regarding the idea of using "Match Local Users" to push a CFW onto an otherwise unmodded Switch. Well, on a related note, I wonder if there is any way to push a modified game update to an unmodified Switch which could then run unsigned code?

I'm asking in large part because I want to update Animal Crossing on an unmodified Switch without updating to the latest firmware. I found an NSP update file for updating Animal Crossing 1.6 for Switch Firmware 10.2, and was thinking that if I installed that onto a modified Switch I could then use "Match Local Users" to push it to an unmodified Switch, but I am concerned about the possibility of someone creating a bad update that runs malicious code. For the modified Switch, I can just create a NAND dump and maintain a backup of the emuNAND (always keep backups) but even though I can make a NAND dump of an unmodified Switch if I take it online after restoring the NAND it would get banned because the logs won't match anymore.

So, in this case, I'd prefer it if it wasn't possible. So, is it possible to use "Match Local Users" to install unsigned code onto a Switch console? If the Switch has some sort of CRC check that would prevent it I imagine. Alternatively, if modifying the update makes it unsigned and if being unsigned made it no longer work that would prevent the issue as well.

If it is possible what steps can I take to make sure I have a good update so the unmodified Switches don't get banned or damaged?

OP, did you end up doing this? And did the clean switch end up banned or anything? Just successfully shared v1.1.1 of shining pearl (the update being downloaded from an alternative source fwiw) from my CFW switch to my clean switch, so I didn't have to update to the latest version which patches exploits, then it occurred to me that this *might* not be safe? Really just bc I don't know if there is any unique data associated with game updates, like I wouldn't think so especially if it can be shared but still. At the same time, what's to have stopped something like this happening if someone unknowingly had a friend who ran CFW and that friend shared their update data.