Nintendo Switch 2 receives first software-based jailbreak

Security researcher Sammy Hajhamid, known as pepsipu, has announced the first software-only jailbreak for the Nintendo Switch 2, dubbed ns2jb. The exploit is compatible with firmware version 23.0.1 and does not require physical hardware modifications or modchips.

The method utilizes a vulnerability in the SmileBASIC 4 programming application, a title originally released for the first Nintendo Switch that remains backward compatible. By exploiting a 32-bit integer overflow within the software's interpreter, the researcher achieved the ability to execute native code and access certain system modules.

To demonstrate the exploit, Hajhamid modified the game Mario Kart World to include non-official characters such as Hatsune Miku, Peter Griffin, and Cinnamoroll. The jailbreak allows for running homebrew applications, modifying game textures, and backing up save data, though it does not yet provide full kernel access or a permanent custom firmware.

The exploit is described as “tethered,” meaning it must be reactivated manually every time the console is restarted. Notably, Hajhamid reported using OpenAI’s Codex AI model to assist in identifying vulnerabilities and constructing the exploit's structure.