PlayStation 5 ROM keys may be out in the wild, opening new possibilities for emulation

Why this leak feels like the Geohot and PlayStation 3 hacking era all over again

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What we know so far: Over the past few days, unknown hackers have leaked the security keys Sony uses to safeguard the PlayStation 5's chain of trust. Known as BootROM keys, the data could – at least in theory – dramatically accelerate the PS5 hacking scene, cracking open what has long been a black box of custom hardware logic and tightly controlled encryption methods.

The new year is already delivering an unexpected jolt for emulation and console modding fans. According to multiple reputable sources, the PS5's most deeply buried secret keys have surfaced online, potentially offering developers and researchers a powerful new foundation for future experimentation.

A report from The CyberSec Guru traces the alleged leak to two well-known figures in the console hacking scene: BrutalSam_ and Shadzey1. BrutalSam_ reportedly posted information about the keys on X, where the content was swiftly taken down. Shadzey1 later corroborated the leak, further lending credibility to the claims.

The PS5 ROM keys are now out in the wild, circulating on both legit sites such as the PS5 Developer wiki, and shady corners of the internet such as 4chan. The keys are essentially part of the PS5's innermost hardware components, and are accessed by the CPU almost immediately after the system powers on.

Their role is fundamental: the keys verify the digital signature of the boot loader, which then initializes the PS5 operating system's kernel. Only after this verification chain is complete does the console allow users to launch their legally purchased games and applications.

Until now, hackers and modders have focused primarily on attacking the PS5's OS kernel or its WebKit-based browser operating in userland – efforts that have produced limited results.

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With access to the BootROM keys, researchers can now dig much deeper, gaining clearer insight into how the PS5's hardware functions. The ninth-generation console is based on a custom SoC design developed by AMD, with CPU and GPU elements derived directly from the x86 PC world.

As The CyberSec Guru explains, the leaked keys effectively dismantle a critical layer of the PS5's security architecture. Armed with this information, modders can pursue more powerful exploits, work toward permanent custom firmware, and improve Linux support on PS5 hardware.

The discovery could even hint at a return to a so-called "golden age" of PlayStation piracy, back when GeoHot was doing some very wicked things with the PS3 hardware. In response, Sony may eventually be forced to release a new PS5 hardware revision, rotating the compromised keys without disrupting the core functionality of millions of consoles already in use.

Beyond exploits and custom firmware, the BootROM leak could ripple through the broader modding and emulation ecosystem. Developers now have the opportunity to examine how the PS5 – and even the PS4 – differs from standard PC hardware, from low-level system features to proprietary GPU graphics calls. As a result, emulation projects like shadPS4 could see meaningful gains in compatibility and performance on PC, potentially bringing long-coveted exclusives such as Bloodborne closer to full playability.