Hacking Wii U Homebrew Preparation

[IbbyPlays]

THIS GUIDE IS OLD AND OUTDATED​

This thread was made to help people that have just discovered the small yet growing Wii U homebrew scene and want to prepare.
Things to know:

1. It is COMPLETELY SAFE to update to 5.3.2 and enjoy dlc and new games. The kernel exploit (game mods) works on all versions and a new webkit exploit (basic code execution that leads to kernel exploit) is being developed that should work up to and including 5.3.2.
2. The webkit exploit (which is currently the only way to run unsigned code in Wii U mode) needs to be run from the browser. Therefore, you need to be able to access certain webpages while (preferably) blocking updates to stay on an exploitable firmware.
3. To block future updates go into your Wii U's internet settings and choose a network. It is recommended that you only have one network saved so that your console doesn't perform some sneaky shiz behind your back. There are two ways to block updates the first method (much easier) does not allow for online play and requires you to host exploit files yourself. The second is more complicated but allows online play and lets you visit basically any site. Method 1: Go into network settings, then DNS settings, turn off auto obtain, set primary DNS to 198.168.0.0, and set secondary DNS to 172.0.0.1. Method 2: Make an OpenDNS account, make a new network using the IP OpenDNS gives you, and block the list of domains at the bottom of the page. Then go into network settings, then DNS settings. Now go into DNS settings, turn Auto-Obtain off, and make primary DNS 208.67.222.222 and secondary DNS 208.67.220.220.
4. The kernel and or webkit exploit does not mean homebrew channel on your home screen like the wii. Someone can code a homebrew channel that runs off of the browser, but a loader exploit is needed to install anything on the home screen.
5. The Mario Kart 8 mods made by MrBean35000vr and Chadderz use(d) a kernel exploit that they will not release because of reasons that are hard to explain without making them sound like hypocrites. They're considering releasing everything they have other than the kernel exploit, once the time is right, since they're independent of the exploit. This includes: (Possibly) Icy Thwomp Ruins, Cafiine(probably rewritten, it's not fit for use right now), TCPGecko (released), and Incendia Castle if it's ever finished.
6. Keep in mind that in-progress exploits being finished doesn't mean they will be released right away. MN1 and co. are aiming for an early-to-mid June release at the latest, to help with developing more tools/exploits and to try to delay Nintendo releasing any patches.
7. We will need to create an (in-progress) ELF loader and a Homebrew SDK before it will be accessible to the average programmer/user. Documentation of Cafe OS and related libraries has already been started here, feel free to contribute.
8. Information on hosting exploit pages will be added when the new exploit(s) are released.

OpenDNS domains:

• nus.c.shop.nintendowifi.net
• nus.cdn.c.shop.nintendowifi.net
• nus.cdn.shop.wii.com
• nus.cdn.wup.shop.nintendo.net
• nus.wup.shop.nintendo.net

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Great work, I hope this will redirect a lot of the filler in the main thread. One suggestion, complete this sentence: "and a new webkit exploit (basic code execution that leads to kernel exploit)." I'm assuming it was going to be something like "... is being developed"



Edit: Looks like you fixed it!

 

[hollowtip]

I know this question is normally taboo in any homebrew scene, but do we have at least rough estimate on when this hack is going be released? I'm aware of the usual "when it's ready" spiel, but it would be nice to get a general expectation of when we can start seeing Wii U bomebrew.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

I know this question is normally taboo in any homebrew scene, but do we have at least rough estimate on when this hack is going be released? I'm aware of the usual "when it's ready" spiel, but it would be nice to get a general expectation of when we can start seeing Wii U bomebrew.

That's a question for either Marionumber1 or NWPlayer123

 

[typ0]

Thank you for the info! Greatly appreciated.

 

[IbbyPlays]

The new webkit exploit should be completed very soon, possibly this weekend. The kernel exploit should be ready soon™ as well. We can execute code in kernel mode, but some things don't work. The kernel exploit will be polished, obfuscated, and (possibly) released on 5.0.0 and then be ported to other fw versions. The devs have been talking about purposely delaying the release of the exploits so that nintendo won't make a patch that will be required to play/download the coming wave of games and dlc (Splatoon, MK8 Pack 2, etc.)

 

[typ0]

The new webkit exploit should be completed very soon, possibly this weekend. The kernel exploit should be ready soon™ as well. We can execute code in kernel mode, but some things don't work. The kernel exploit will be polished, obfuscated, and (possibly) released on 5.0.0 and then be ported to other fw versions. The devs have been talking about purposely delaying the release of the exploits so that nintendo won't make a patch that will be required to play/download the coming wave of games and dlc (Splatoon, MK8 Pack 2, etc.)

That makes total sense. Hopefully they do that.

 

[Fulcaire]

Wow I'm excited, didn't know the Wii U was this close to being hacked. Definitely now going to update my Wii U to 5.3.2 and delete all Internet settings to keep it there unless said otherwise that it's safe to update again. Sorry if this is a noob question but are these exploits going to allow now for Wii U backups to run?

 

[2Hack]

Wow I'm excited, didn't know the Wii U was this close to being hacked. Definitely now going to update my Wii U to 5.3.2 and delete all Internet settings to keep it there unless said otherwise that it's safe to update again. Sorry if this is a noob question but are these exploits going to allow now for Wii U backups to run?

It will happen eventually, but not initially

That's the general rule of thumb.

 

[Tgames]

Tested and works =).

Please consider to push the new IP to OpenDNS servers (with a laptop on windows for example), if you have a dynamic IP address.

 

[NWPlayer123]

Plans have been changed slightly now that we have more info from the Direct. MN1's thinking that we're going to hold off on releasing *anything* until it's good and ready. Not sure when that'll be, still aiming for before E3 for release (or in that late April/early May time slot I mentioned). I wish I could get the Webkit exploit out ASAP but it's probably best to start stockpiling (one of the other things we're talking about) and then release when the time is right.

 

[the_randomizer]

What address do we need to manually enter in the Wii U's DNS settings? I mean, we need to tell the Wii U to redirect to OpenDNS, correct? And can I just use my USB Ethernet and not WiFi?

 

[IbbyPlays]

What address do we need to manually enter in the Wii U's DNS settings? I mean, we need to tell the Wii U to redirect to OpenDNS, correct? And can I just use my USB Ethernet and not WiFi?

Yes
Yes

 

[EclipseSin]

Plans have been changed slightly now that we have more info from the Direct. MN1's thinking that we're going to hold off on releasing *anything* until it's good and ready. Not sure when that'll be, still aiming for before E3 for release (or in that late April/early May time slot I mentioned). I wish I could get the Webkit exploit out ASAP but it's probably best to start stockpiling (one of the other things we're talking about) and then release when the time is right.

Sounds good. Honestly should probably use the exploits before release to find other possibly entry points if this is patched anyways (im assuming thats what you meant by stockpiling)

 

[the_randomizer]

Yes
Yes

I was told that there's an IP address, an assigned one on the site to use for manual input. The only IP address I see was the one that it gave me for the network. Where do I click to find the DNS I need to enter? Because it gave me the IP that my ISP uses, and not a new assigned one.

 

[FusionGamer]

Currently awaiting a response to my support ticket for OpenDNS to enable filtering

So excited that I'll be free from CCProxy.

 

[the_randomizer]

Currently awaiting a response to my support ticket for OpenDNS to enable filtering

So excited that I'll be free from CCProxy.

What do you mean, you can already filter websites

 

[the_randomizer]

I think he's doing the same thing I had to do- his IP (like mine) is already in the OpenDNS database so it won't let him filter.

But you use these addresses here and input them in the Wii U settings, not the IP address he has
https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/opendns-ip-addresses/

 

[the_randomizer]

No, to add a network in OpenDNS (required for filtering) you need to put in your IP address. It has nothing to do with the OpenDNS DNS addresses.

Oooh, right, yeah, that can be an issue....

 

[NWPlayer123]

I'll contribute a few things to the main post IbbyPlays.
1) "that should work up to and including 5.3.2"
5) They're considering releasing everything they have other than the kernel exploit, once the time is right, since they're independent of the exploit. This includes: (Possibly) Icy Thwomp Ruins, Cafiine(probably rewritten, it's not fit for use rn), TCPGecko, and Incendia Castle if it's ever finished.
6) Keep in mind that in-progress exploits being finished doesn't mean they will be released right away. MN1 and co. are aiming for an early-to-mid June release at the latest, to help with developing more tools/exploits and to try to delay Nintendo releasing any patches.
7) We will need to create an (in-progress) ELF loader and a Homebrew SDK before it will be accessible to the average programmer/user. Documentation of Cafe OS and related libraries has already been started here, feel free to contribute.