Unfortunately for Nintendo, this is a hardware problem and not a software issue. This is a fairly common exploit for nVidia ARM-based devices (of which the Switch is one) and has been used before to gain root on various Android tablets and phones. Once in RCM mode, a payload can be injected in to the Switch before boot to allow it to run unsigned code.
A flaw was discovered in the hardware of the Nintendo Switch (namely in the nVidia processor) that allows the unit to boot in to RCM mode by holding the VOL+ button and pressing Power on the console, if pins 1 and 10 of the right Joycon port are shorted. Explanation of the Switch’s Hardware VulnerabilityĪlthough not a totally new thing, the Nintendo Switch hacking and home-brew community has blown up over the past 6 months.
