Xbox:ENDGAME

ENDGAME

Information
Author	gaasedelen
Type	Dashboard Exploit
Version	v1.0
License	MIT License
Links
Website	GitHub Repo
Source	GitHub Repo
Download(s)	GitHub Repo

ENDGAME is a dashboard exploit for the Original Xbox that allows you to execute habibi-signed XBE payloads from a memory card. This exploit is compatible with all retail kernel and dashboard versions and, unlike other softmod methods, does not require a game or even a working DVD drive — only a memory card.

ENDGAME was developed by Markus Gaasedelen (gaasedelen) with credit to shutterbug2000 for the initial discovery of the exploit vector and first proof of concept and to xbox7887 for minor contributions.

Usage

Copy the contents of the generated ENDGAME/ directory to a Xbox memory card such that the root directory of the memory card has the following structure, where payload.xbe can be any habibi-signed XBE of your choosing:

/helper/
/trigger/
/payload.xbe

To trigger the exploit, plug the memory card into a controller and navigate to it while in the dashboard.

After a few seconds, the system should begin cycling the front LED to green/orange/red to indicate success. This is followed by it launching the payload.xbe placed on the memory card.

FAQ

Q: Is this a softmod?
A: No, by itself, ENDGAME is not a softmod. But it will make softmodding significantly more accessible as the community integrates it into existing softmod solutions.

Q: What is new about this exploit?
A: This exploit will enable people to softmod any revision of the original Xbox without needing a specific game. It will also allow people to easily launch a homebrew XBE (such as the Insignia setup assistant, or content scanning tools) by simply inserting a memory card into an unmodded Xbox.

Q: I don't have a memory card, can I use something else?
A: Yes, any FATX-formatted compatible USB device and controller port dongle should work.

Q: Why am I getting Error 21 after placing my own XBE on the memory card?
A: Your XBE must be signed using the habibi key. Several tools can do this, xbedump being the most popular.

Q: Why does my habibi-signed XBE result in a black screen with ENDGAME but not on a modded xbox?
A: The most common explanation is that your XBE may be using the Debug/XDK kernel thunk & entry point XOR keys rather than the retail ones, resulting in a crash.

Q: I triggered ENDGAME but my system quickly rebooted to the dash rather than my XBE...
A: While this should be uncommon, it means the exploit probably crashed. It's recommended to navigate straight to the memory card on a cold boot for successful exploitation.

Q: My XBE requires multiple files and external assets to run, will it work with ENDGAME?
A: No. Currently, ENDGAME is only structured to copy & execute a standalone XBE.

Q: How does this exploit work?
A: The exploit targets an integer overflow in the dashboard's handling of savegame images. When the dash attempts to parse the specially crafted images on the memory card, ENDGAME obtains arbitrary code execution.