Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 15 hrs ago
AI-assisted PS5 exploit report sparks backlash after Sony's $50,000 payout
Hacker Jordy reported a PS5 security flaw to Sony after finding it with AI, and received a $50,000 reward.
The flaw affects some PS5 firmware and could let hackers run code at a deep level of the console.
That kind of access can support homebrew projects, including running Linux on a PS5.
Google security engineer Andy Nguyen, known as theflow0, had found the same flaw earlier and wanted to keep it secret while he worked on Linux support.
Jordy's report angered parts of the homebrew community because they wanted the flaw kept from Sony, and theflow0 said he was stopping his PS5 Linux work.
Some fans had hoped to use the flaw around GTA 6's launch on November 19, though the sources do not establish that it would have enabled piracy at launch.
Sony pays researchers to report security problems privately so it can address them before they are made public, but the sources do not say when a fix will arrive.
Jordy, a PlayStation hacker, received a $50,000 Sony bounty after reporting a PS5 hypervisor vulnerability he found using AI.
The report sparked anger in the PS5 homebrew community because the vulnerability could have enabled Linux use and was being kept secret by another researcher.
Some community members say reporting the bug could prevent planned homebrew work and affect players hoping to use the exploit around the November release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Jordy said another researcher found the same bug shortly after him, prompting him to report it before someone else claimed the bounty.
The vulnerability affects PS5 firmware versions 13.60 to 14.00, according to IGN.
- Who
- Jordy, a PlayStation hacker, reported the vulnerability to Sony. Google security engineer Andy Nguyen, known as theflow0, had also found it.
- What
- Sony awarded Jordy $50,000 for privately reporting a PS5 hypervisor vulnerability he found using AI.
- When
- Jordy posted about receiving the bounty on October 14, 2026. The articles were published on October 26, 2026.
- Where
- The vulnerability affects the PlayStation 5. Jordy reported it through HackerOne.
- Why
- Jordy said another researcher had found the same bug, so he reported it before someone else could claim the bounty. The articles say the report triggered controversy because some homebrew researchers wanted to keep the exploit secret.
Jordy
PS5 homebrew critics
Reporting the vulnerability
Jordy
Jordy said he reported it after another researcher found the same bug, reasoning that others could also discover it.
PS5 homebrew critics
Critics objected that he reported it to Sony and claimed the bounty instead of keeping it confidential for the community.
Use of AI
Jordy
Jordy used generative AI to find the bug.
PS5 homebrew critics
Theflow0 said the scene had become a group of people using large language models to write hacks they did not understand.
Theflow0 showcased his work on getting Linux running on PS5.
Theflow0 had found the hypervisor bug but kept it secret, according to Jordy.
Jordy said another person had found the bug with AI, so he reported it.
Jordy posted that he had received a $50,000 Sony payout.
IGN and Kotaku published articles about the bounty and the backlash.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release, according to Kotaku.
- Bounty
- $50,000
- Affected firmware
- PS5 versions 13.60 to 14.00
- Reporting platform
- HackerOne
- Bug type
- Hypervisor vulnerability
- GTA VI release date
- November 19, 2026
3 sources
Hacker awarded $50k bounty for reporting bug to Sony that allowed PS5 Linux exploit
AI Has Triggered A PS5 Homebrew Gold Rush, But It’s Also The Reason GTA 6 Can’t Be Pirated At Release
Sony Awarded a Hacker $50,000 for Privately Reporting a PS5 Exploit He Found With AI — Now He's Public Enemy Number One
What people are saying
I decided I would report it.
I can at least buy GTA 6 with this I think
I am stepping away from the PS5 scene and stopping all my work on PS5 Linux
The scene used to be a group of highly talented researchers, but now it is just a bunch of noobs using LLMs and writing hacks they don't even understand.
Posts on X
I can at least buy GTA 6 with this I think