Hacking Team Xecuter - What is that dongle?

[Broksamson]

Wondering if that dongle is just a thumb drive with a usb c and micro usb plug, or if it is something else. Any ideas on it would be appreciated. Have a feeling something like this may do just as well.

SanDisk Ultra 16GB Dual Drive USB Type-C (SDDDC2-016G-G46) (can't post links)
Basically just a thumb drive with both a usb c and usb 3 plug on it.

Just trying to confirm what it is before trying to pick my tools.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

It is definitely a system on chip (SOC), not just flash memory.

 

[Broksamson]

It is definitely a system on chip (SOC), not just flash memory.

So...how the heck does the firmware only version work then? Think a usb c to usb cable to boot from pc, or a usb c to usb c to boot from phone would be needed instead?

 

[DeadlyFoez]

So...how the heck does the firmware only version work then?

The OS only version does mention that it requires "tools" which is likely the dongle. Basically, you buy the pro version for one switch, and then the OS only version for each additional switch since you wont need to buy another dongle.

 

[johnpaul]

Cause the dongle drops the payload similarly to how a computer would , more convenient and less hassle to use a dongle than have to wait til the computer warms up

 

[hippy dave]

If you don't have the dongle then you send their payload from a computer/phone/raspberry pi etc like we've been doing with other payloads around here. So yes the dongle is a SOC that sends their payload, not just a dumb memory stick.

 

[Broksamson]

Hmm interesting. May already have all the tools necessary then. If it is something specific that can't be done from software though that would be different. I think I agree more with johnpaul on this one unless you have seen otherwise Deadly. Thinking it may be computer or phone launched only.

Still pretty against the locked firmware(one use license) but ok with the hardware purchase if necessary. Just highly doubt they would make the software one use only unless you could do this without their chip.

 

[Paulsar99]

The dongle immediately runs the payload and cfw. Usb 3 is probably use so that you can update the dongle in the future.

 

[punderino]

I wish so much that they would just sell the dongle by itself.

 

[alexj9626]

I wish so much that they would just sell the dongle by itself.

Thing is, what could you do with the dongle alone? Install payloads? Yeah i mean, i dont think TX is selling it for anything else besides installing their software.

 

[punderino]

Thing is, what could you do with the dongle alone? Install payloads? Yeah i mean, i dont think TX is selling it for anything else besides installing their software.

Run RCM payloads without a phone or some complicated RPi setup on the go?

 

[Broksamson]

Thing is, what could you do with the dongle alone? Install payloads? Yeah i mean, i dont think TX is selling it for anything else besides installing their software.

Think he is thinking it uses a common pathway to get to the kernel so you could use it for Atmosphere or any number of other hacks down the road.

 

[alexj9626]

Run RCM payloads without a phone or some complicated RPi setup on the go?

Like i said, TX is most likely not selling it for running your/other people payloads. If they are sellin it is for installing their CFW, so why would they sell it alone?

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Think he is thinking it uses a common pathway to get to the kernel so you could use it for Atmosphere or any number of other hacks down the road.

Yeah i know, im just saying they wont do that. Why give a good and convenient way to install the competiton stuff. If you are using for anything else then at least you have to buy the license with it and i think its fair.

 

[Axido]

To me all this seems like the "AP protection" they are obviously going to use could very well be solely integrated into the software that is used to get you the payload or to get the payload onto the Switch. Think of it as TegraRCM with encryption. That would make it more reasonable to sell the CFW patches separately. It would also offer the chance to use the CFW without waiting for the dongle to arrive... as long as you can initiate RCM via PC. The dongle would still be a valuable tool, but you wouldn't have to rely on it to get things working.

At least I hope this is how TX handled it. As long as you could do the initial setup without the dongle, I wouldn't even mind other functions being tied to it exclusively that much.

 

[punderino]

Like i said, TX is most likely not selling it for running your/other people payloads. If they are sellin it is for installing their CFW, so why would they sell it alone?

You mean running their CFW, and I'd imagine that micro usb connector could be used to change the payload. Can't imagine they'd wanna lock it down THAT hard.

 

[Broksamson]

Like i said, TX is most likely not selling it for running your/other people payloads. If they are sellin it is for installing their CFW, so why would they sell it alone?

I am fine with that idea but...just don't like that they are charging for firmware installs. I am worried about how that will work out if say my switch dies, not to mention that my wife has a switch and having to pay twice for the software rubs me wrong. Hell the whole reason I am considering all of this in the first place is that I hate that there is no family sharing for the switch.

 

[alexj9626]

You mean running their CFW, and I'd imagine that micro usb connector could be used to change the payload. Can't imagine they'd wanna lock it down THAT hard.

Yep, i agree. They wont lock it "that hard" but if you want to use it for anything else beside their stuff, at least they make you buy the license.

 

[punderino]

Yep, i agree. They wont lock it "that hard" but if you want to use it for anything else beside their stuff, at least they make you buy the license.

I'm imagining it'll be within a week that the whole thing gets cracked and you can run the CFW without their hardware and use their hardware for other CFWs.

 

[alexj9626]

I am fine with that idea but...just don't like that they are charging for firmware installs. I am worried about how that will work out if say my switch dies, not to mention that my wife has a switch and having to pay twice for the software rubs me wrong. Hell the whole reason I am considering all of this in the first place is that I hate that there is no family sharing for the switch.

Agree. I dont like it either but i understand it. Its their work and they are offering something that nobody else is, at least for now.

I was kinda hyped about it, but think im not gonna get it or maybe not the first wave. Gonna wait and see how all this turns out. Maybe we would get Atmosphere soon, maybe somebody would hack their stuff, who knows.

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I'm imagining it'll be within a week that the whole thing gets cracked and you can run the CFW without their hardware and use their hardware for other CFWs.

Yeah i think that would happen soon or later. One more reason to sell the dongle with the license, right?

 

[Broksamson]

Agree. I dont like it either but i understand it. Its their work and they are offering something that nobody else is, at least for now.

I was kinda hyped about it, but think im not gonna get it or maybe not the first wave. Gonna wait and see how all this turns out. Maybe we would get Atmosphere soon, maybe somebody would hack their stuff, who knows.

Same with me. Was super excited when I thought it was a chip that had it's own firmware in it, then I saw this and well....I just can't bring myself to back it. I would buy the part no problem, but I just can't bring myself to pay for the OS.