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Nintendo Switch Vulnerable to Hacking Through Outdated Version of Apple's WebKit Browser Engine

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iOS hacker qwertyoruiop has discovered that an old iOS 9.3 WebKit vulnerability lies hidden within Nintendo's latest home console/portable hybrid, the Nintendo Switch (via SlashGear). The exploit lies in the Switch's limited web browser functionality, which allows users to sync up with Twitter and Facebook as well as connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots, and is all run by Apple's open source browser engine WebKit.

The Switch's version of WebKit is older than the one currently running on up-to-date iOS and macOS devices, however, allowing Nintendo's device to become vulnerable to a collection of critical exploits that plagued iOS 9.3 last summer. One, named "Pegasus," was a highly sophisticated exploit that installed itself within an iOS device through a link sent via a text message. Apple eventually addressed and fixed these issues with iOS 9.3.5.

webkit-switch.jpg

that's just how it goes pic.twitter.com/ztkFrbjz5u - qwertyoruiop (@qwertyoruiopz) March 11, 2017
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For unknown reasons, Nintendo opted to include a version of WebKit that doesn't have these fixes, allowing qwertyoruiop to use an existing iOS WebKit jailbreak, remove any iOS-specific code, and tweak it so it runs on the Switch. The existence of a known exploit running on Switch points towards a rushed release, which was already believed to be the case since the company's fiscal year ends March 31, 2017 and the Switch launched March 3.

Developer LiveOverflow yesterday published a proof of concept video on the Switch WebKit exploit, further detailing how the bug originating on Apple's devices can be used to hack a Nintendo Switch.


The userland exploit "doesn't mean much for the end user," according to Wololo, because it hasn't revealed any detailed information on the Switch yet, nor does it hand over full kernel access to hackers. As the news slowly makes the rounds online, it's most likely that Nintendo will add in a patch to the old WebKit exploit in a future update to the Switch.

Article Link: Nintendo Switch Vulnerable to Hacking Through Outdated Version of Apple's WebKit Browser Engine
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/03/13/nintendo-switch-hacking-webkit/
Question for those that have the console:
I took possession of the game Zelda but have yet to be able to get my hands on the Switch.
I am mostly wanting this for my grandkids.
My question is:
If one one my grandkids starting playing Zelda and then stops at some point, can my other grandkid start a game of her own?
IOW, can more than one person play with different game save spots?
TIA
 
Gotta wonder what benefit there was in using such an outdated version of Webkit? Unless that was the current version at the time of development and the use case was so narrow there was no effort put into updating it.
 
farewelwilliams said:
not really. played it for half a day and then gave up. lots of "goto point A to pick up point B and return for your reward" type of deal.

only for zelda fans i guess.
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I'm really not a huge Zelda fan and this is already one of the best games I've ever played.

The joy in the game isn't actually found in the quests. Indeed, many of the quests are pretty standard fare. It's the world itself that is beyond amazing. The more time you spend exploring the environments around you, the more fun you'll have.

Of course, it may still not be your cup of tea, but it seems like getting off the beaten path might help you enjoy the game a bit more.
 
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Every news item about the Switch makes me sadder. I was cautiously optimistic for Nintendo.
 
DotCom2 said:
Question for those that have the console:
I took possession of the game Zelda but have yet to be able to get my hands on the Switch.
I am mostly wanting this for my grandkids.
My question is:
If one one my grandkids starting playing Zelda and then stops at some point, can my other grandkid start a game of her own?
IOW, can more than one person play with different game save spots?
TIA
Click to expand...

Yes, in a way. There's no traditional save file system, but you can create multiple users on the Switch. Each user gets their own save file for each game as if they had their own console. AFAIK you can have up to 8 users?

This has been working splendidly for me and my mom. I've been playing a lot of Zelda on my file and she's been having fun exploring Hyrule in hers at a more leisurely pace.
 
stiligFox said:
Yes, in a way. There's no traditional save file system, but you can create multiple users on the Switch. Each user gets their own save file for each game as if they had their own console. AFAIK you can have up to 8 users?

This has been working splendidly for me and my mom. I've been playing a lot of Zelda on my file and she's been having fun exploring Hyrule in hers at a more leisurely pace.
Click to expand...
Thank you sooo much stiligFox for clarifying that.
Now to get my hands on a Switch for them....and uhhhh....me. LOL!
 
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DotCom2 said:
Question for those that have the console:
I took possession of the game Zelda but have yet to be able to get my hands on the Switch.
I am mostly wanting this for my grandkids.
My question is:
If one one my grandkids starting playing Zelda and then stops at some point, can my other grandkid start a game of her own?
IOW, can more than one person play with different game save spots?
TIA
Click to expand...


Not sure if someone already answered this but you will need to have a separate user account for each grand kid, that way when they play they just choose their user from the main screen and start the game where they left off.
 
chrono1081 said:
Not sure if someone already answered this but you will need to have a separate user account for each grand kid, that way when they play they just choose their user from the main screen and start the game where they left off.
Click to expand...
That's great. Thank you so much for replying.
 
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farewelwilliams said:
not really. played it for half a day and then gave up. lots of "goto point A to pick up point B and return for your reward" type of deal.

only for zelda fans i guess.
Click to expand...

Not to mention the tedious weapon breaking mechanic, and the horrible gyro puzzles. I have no idea how thing thing is getting 10/10. It's good, but that's just silly. I doubt I'll proceed much further in the game.

If they really wanted weapons to break constantly then they needed a more sleek inventory management system.

The rain is an issue too. Having to wait around for rain to stop b/c you need to climb something is nuts. There are just too many negative quality of life issues for my taste.
 
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