Photo credit: theinquirer.net

Hackers at fail0verflow have managed to get the hybrid console to behave like a full-fat Linux PC, this goes a long way in satisfying users who are not content with simply getting Linux to boot on the Nintendo Switch.

fail0verflow posted a video on Twitter showing the Switch running the Linux OS, which looks rather slick and nippy on the console's tablet display. The hackers got Linux running on the Switch by using code execution, though they didn't say how they got around Nintendo's own operating system and boot process to load up Linux.

This was possible due to a flaw in the boot ROM of Nvidia's Tegra X1 chip, which forms the hardware heart of the Switch, was exploited to boot up Linux, we expect the same flaw has been used to get the open source operating system up and running on the console.

It turns out that the flaw is hard-coded into the current crop of Tegra X1 chips, which makes patching them pretty much out of the question. Nintendo will probably have to recall Switch consoles and then persuade Nvidia to equip them with a new batch of Tegra X1 chips with flaw-free ROMs so as to fix the hardware-level flaw. However, the cost and hassle is bloody ginormous.

The idea behind taking the risk of borking your Switch is the potential to open up the Switch to emulators and homebrew games and software. At the moment there’s no Virtual Console option for the Switch to run retro Nintendo games, despite it being on other Nintendo consoles and something fans are clamouring for.

fail0verflow has kept its hack under wraps, so you'll have to wait for a rootkit to be released or get your coding hands dirty and figure out the hack for yourself.

Source: https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3026934/nintendo-switch-has-been-hacked-to-run-full-fat-linux-by-fail0verflow-nerds