Sony has released firmware update 13.50 for the PlayStation 4, a move that has sparked controversy within the console’s modding community. While the official changelog from Sony vaguely mentions “improved messages and usability on some screens,” tech enthusiasts and modders are strongly advising PS4 owners against installing this latest update.
According to reports from the modding community, firmware 13.50 quietly introduces significant security changes. Specifically, it is confirmed to have patched a critical “Use-After-Free (UAF)” vulnerability. This particular exploit was previously utilized to gain access to the console’s userland environment.
The closure of this UAF vulnerability effectively blocks a crucial entry point that could have been leveraged in conjunction with a potential Kernel Exploit (Kexploit), if one were to be discovered. Furthermore, modders warn that this update severely hampers the ability to run unofficial software, or “homebrew,” on the console. They suggest that this fix could delay the development of homebrew for this firmware version for a considerable period, potentially years.
This update is seen as Sony’s ongoing effort to combat console modifications and maintain a locked ecosystem, reinforcing the continuous struggle between console manufacturers and the enthusiast community.