What happened with software exploits for the Switch?

[Deleted member 754542]

There were a few software exploits up until firmware 7.something. If I remember correctly, those who kept their Switches on 1.0 had access to a coldboot software exploit. As far as I know, these exploits were not used because the unpatchable hardware exploits reached a far wider audience. Did software exploits ever get released and if yes who actually used them?

 

[M7L7NK7]

There's never been a coldboot software (or untethered hardware) exploit. If you're thinking of the potential exploits on launch Mariko units, it was never implemented because only a handful of people could use it

 

[Hayato213]

https://github.com/noahc3/PegaScape

Software based was only for 1.0.0 to 4.1.0

 

[Deleted member 754542]

I'm sure there was an exploit called deja vu for 7.x Switches.

 

[MasterJ360]

And being on those low FW would make new game support impossible to play.

 

[ihaveahax]

There was Caffeine for 4.1.0. There was supposedly a Bluetooth-related vulnerability up to 12.0.0 but it has never been implemented.

SciresM has stated a few times that he believes the kernel and secure monitor of the Switch OS to be completely 100% free of vulnerabilities. This is carried over to Switch 2, so it will also likely never get software-based exploits ever.

 

[Hayato213]

I'm sure there was an exploit called deja vu for 7.x Switches.

Only firmware up to 4.1.0 got software base exploit release

 

[mathew77]

so it will also likely never get software-based exploits ever.

Famous last words of all the hacked consoles.

 

[ihaveahax]

Famous last words of all the hacked consoles.

It's not the same situation at all, the Switch 2 is based off existing software that has had years of patches and security updates.

 

[M7L7NK7]

I'm sure there was an exploit called deja vu for 7.x Switches.

Like I already said, it wasn't implemented for that high of a firmware because no one really cared

Post automatically merged: Jun 22, 2025

And being on those low FW would make new game support impossible to play.

How do you think people who use Nereba or Caffeine do it? You boot into an EmuMMC on a higher firmware

 

[Thorhax]

It's not the same situation at all, the Switch 2 is based off existing software that has had years of patches and security updates.

Don't waste your breath. It's same as people saying they won't buy a switch 2 until a hack is released for it.
With doing just a little bit of research you can see how Nintendo and Nvidia went to much greater lengths to tighten up boot and security on switch 2.
I cannot say a kernel exploit will never happen but it will not be for years.

 

[citruspunch]

I believe as the switch grows older and nintendo stops updating it, we will find something software-based. With some other consoles we thought that they were unhackable, but eventually we found a way.

For now though, I think fusee-gelee is good enough for me.