[Research] Mario Kart 8 - Decrypted Traffic | GBAtemp.net - The Independent Video Game Community

Wii U Homebrew — accessing certain apps causes 160-0103 error, uncertain if Homebrew attempt is responsible

SLthePyro · 2026-06-17T04:12:17+00:00

Hello, GBATemp. Apologies if making an account just to discuss this here is out of turn, but I think I need some expert eyes on this. This is my first time setting up Homebrew, done following these instructions. It was an attempt to get Pretendo Network working. Aside from backing up files with every available option and accidentally pressing Patch (slc) and boot IOS (slc) one time, I followed the guide to the letter, and the Payloader and Aroma all worked fine. But as I went to create a new Wii U user account that would use Pretendo, I was met with a Parental Controls message asking me for my pin which I've since forgotten. No problem, I can just go into Parental Controls for options to fix it, right? Then I encountered the dreaded 160-0103 error trying to get into Parental Controls. So, now I have a problem I need identified. 160-0103 can mean anything from "you did something wrong in Homebrew" to "your Wii U is a dying dinosaur", and as I'm not a coder, I have no idea how to analyze the system logs even though I can access them. So I've extracted what I believe are the logs and have attached them here for your analysis, along with this short list of my Wii U's current status: The 160-0103 error occurs when accessing certain apps. I haven't tested all of them out of concern that I'll break something more permanently, but among the failed apps were Parental Controls and MARIO KART 8, so it's not an isolated incident. Several apps still function. Games loaded from discs still work, as well as internal apps like Mii Maker and System Settings. I am uncertain if these errors were present before attempting Homebrew. I had no reason to check the affected programs until after installing it and being roadblocked by the Parental Controls PIN. Certain online apps give app-based error codes rather than crashes. I assume this is simply because Nintendo Network no longer functions. (I can't test them with Pretendo Network until I get past the Parental Controls PIN issue.) There are no issues with booting. The Wii U can reach the main menu whether Aroma is active or not. All Homebrew backup services function. All "backup" options in the Backup and Restore menu of minute were done before and after installing ISFShax, a MCL backup was done following the wiiu.hacks.guide page (before I transitioned to GBATemp's guide following the warning about restoring backups), and I did a full batch backup using SaveMii after seeing the 160-0103 error. I have not altered the console at all following the SaveMii backup. I know where the backup options are in minute, but I'm not engaging them until I hear it's the correct move from you guys. I think that was all the information I needed to provide. Let me know if you need anything else. Please help me figure this out, please and thank you.

Maschell

Well-Known Member

Member

Level 15

May 14, 2017

Heyho.

I spent the night with trying to decrypt the Mario Kart 8 network traffic and had some success!

After a bit of guessing, I was able to find the RC4 Encryption/Decrytion function that Mario Kart 8 is using to encrypt/decrypt some of it's data.

The source code of my current PoC and more information can be found here: https://github.com/Maschell/nn_nex_logging_and_research

Little story how I found this: https://pastebin.com/n8FcnJtt

It looks like games are sharing the nn::nex library for their online gaming stuff.

Does anyone know other games that has a .rpx with symbols in it (and online functionality)? It looks like Mario Kart 8 's nn::nex is not matching 100% the Sonic Allstar Racing nn::nex, so probably there different version out there.

Did anyone tried something similar yet?

Last edited by Maschell, May 14, 2017

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Hacking [Research] Mario Kart 8 - Decrypted Traffic

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