Xbox 360 was software-modded - 20 years after launch

The Peer Pressure softmod allows unsigned code to run on the device.

A permanent software exploit (softmod) Peer Pressure has been released for Xbox 360, allowing it to bypass a number of console system restrictions and run unsigned code without the need for traditional hardware modification.

To work, Peer Pressure modifies the console's NAND image and hard drive security sectors. During startup, the system initiates a sequence of DMA attacks, through which the exploit gains the ability to bypass restrictions on software code execution.

One of the main features of the softmod is the removal of digital signature restrictions for executable files. This allows homebrew applications to be launched, as well as bypassing license and security checks for games and add-ons.

Peer Pressure offers three boot modes that can be switched between to launch the console in a modified or standard state.

Built-in write protection for NAND helps prevent unwanted changes that could lead to the console being unable to boot.

Additional features of Peer Pressure include launching Xell and other Linux-like environments when the console is powered on via the eject button, as well as loading third-party DLL libraries into games and applications. The latter feature, for example, can be used to launch RB3Enhanced or bring back old Xbox 360 interfaces, including Blades and NXE.