Xbox One Hacked: A Landmark Achievement in Gaming Security

At the recent RE//verse 2026 conference, Markus ‘Doom’ Gaasedelen unveiled a significant breakthrough in gaming security: the successful hack of Microsoft’s Xbox One, a console that had maintained a reputation for being "unhackable" since its launch in 2013. Gaasedelen demonstrated the ‘Bliss’ double glitch, a method that exploits Voltage Glitch Hacking (VGH) to compromise the console's security. This hack allows for the loading of unsigned code at every level, including the Hypervisor and operating system, marking a pivotal moment in gaming history.

Microsoft’s ‘unhackable’ Xbox One has been hacked by 'Bliss' — the 2013 console finally fell to voltage glitching, allowing the loading of unsigned code at every levelSportskeeda

The Bliss exploit operates by targeting a momentary drop in the CPU voltage rail, which circumvents the ARM Cortex memory protection. Gaasedelen developed new hardware introspection tools to execute this attack, which he claims is unpatchable due to its hardware-level nature. This means that the Xbox One can be fully compromised before any Microsoft-signed firmware is loaded, allowing for the decryption of games and firmware. The hack requires precise electrical glitching, with a success rate of approximately 1 in a million attempts, indicating the complexity of the security measures originally implemented by Microsoft.

Microsoft’s ‘unhackable’ Xbox One has been hacked by 'Bliss' — the 2013 console finally fell to voltage glitching, allowing the loading of unsigned code at every levelSportskeeda

The hack is viewed as a significant win for game preservation. With the Xbox One now hackable, digital archivists can potentially preserve games, downloadable content (DLC), and system software that are otherwise tied to digital rights management (DRM). This is particularly important given that many titles are only available online and require constant internet access to play. The ability to archive these games could ensure their availability for future generations.

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In addition to preservation, the Bliss hack enhances the repairability of Xbox One consoles. Users can recover bricked devices, replace failing eMMC chips, and decouple cryptographically tied hard drives for upgrades. This aspect of the hack provides tangible benefits for users who wish to extend the life of their older consoles.

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Despite the potential benefits, the hack is not without its challenges. The complexity of executing the Bliss exploit means that it is unlikely to become widespread among casual modders. Additionally, while the hack opens up new possibilities for reverse engineering and game preservation, it also raises concerns about user information security and the potential for malicious use.

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Markus Gaasedelen emphasized the unpatchable nature of the Bliss exploit, stating, “The system is compromised before any Microsoft-signed firmware is loaded.” This highlights the significance of the hack in the context of gaming security. Microsoft has yet to respond officially to this breakthrough, but the implications for their security measures are profound.

Microsoft’s ‘unhackable’ Xbox One has been hacked by 'Bliss' — the 2013 console finally fell to voltage glitching, allowing the loading of unsigned code at every level

As the gaming community processes this development, further emulation breakthroughs may emerge. The potential for creating mod chips to automate the glitching process could lead to more accessible methods for users interested in exploring the capabilities of the Xbox One.

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• “In 2013 some kind of iron curtain came down on security, of the Xbox ecosystem, and the Xbox One never got hacked,” — Markus ‘Doom’ Gaasedelen

Microsoft’s ‘unhackable’ Xbox One has been hacked by 'Bliss' — the 2013 console finally fell to voltage glitching, allowing the loading of unsigned code at every level

This landmark achievement not only challenges the perception of console security but also opens new avenues for both preservation and user empowerment in the gaming landscape.

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