Security researcher Sammy Hajhamid, known as pepsipu, has released ns2jb, a software-only jailbreak for the Nintendo Switch 2. The exploit is compatible with the latest 23.0.1 firmware version. To demonstrate the capability, Hajhamid modified the game Mario Kart World by adding custom characters to the roster.
The development process utilized OpenAI Codex to automate the testing. Hajhamid connected a Switch 1 and a Switch 2 to JetKVM devices, using a Bluetooth light switch to reset the consoles automatically during crashes. This setup allowed AI agents to perform iterative testing without manual intervention.
The exploit chain begins with a 32-bit integer overflow in SmileBASIC 4, a programming application priced at approximately $25. This is followed by a buffer overflow in the filesystem service of the console. The jailbreak enables native code execution with the permissions of standard system modules.
The current implementation is tethered, meaning it requires re-execution after each reboot. There is currently no kernel exploit or custom firmware available. Researcher Gezine, who previously disclosed a separate userland exploit in July, confirmed the legitimacy of the work. Nintendo has not yet issued an official statement.
