Relapse: the PS5 is jailbroken from firmware 7.00 to 13.60
By Tgames · · 2 min read
2026 update: the hypervisor bugs also make it possible to boot Linux on PS5 on 13.60, even on the PS5 Pro; read on in our news story Linux on PS5 on 13.60: Ubuntu boots, even on the PS5 Pro.
This is the announcement the scene had been waiting six years for. In late September 2026, the Relapse exploit was released: it opens up PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles from firmware 7.00 up to 13.60. In other words, very nearly the whole installed base.
How it works
The chain starts from the console's browser, then exploits a memory access flaw in the kernel (a use-after-free on aio_multi_wait) to obtain read and write access at system level. A loader then listens for incoming programs. The authors credited are Sonic_Iso, Jordy, ntfargo and ufm42.
What it is not
Sony hit back within two days
On 1 October 2026, two days after the release, Sony published firmware 14.10, which closes the flaw. 14.00 had already been released on 16 September. The consequence is simple and worth repeating:
And the PS4?
Good news: it is the same flaw. On the PS4 side, it opens up firmwares 13.02 à 13.52, on top of the methods already known for earlier versions. The latest PS4 firmware, 14.00 of 16 September 2026, is not affected, however. The breakdown by firmware is in our tutorial which exploit for GoldHEN depending on your firmware.
One detail that could matter
According to data pulled by a site that tracks game sizes, GTA VI would require firmware 14.10 at the minimum when it comes out, announced for 19 November 2026. Neither Rockstar nor Sony has confirmed it, so we report it as unconfirmed — but were it to prove true, you would have to choose between an open console and that game.
Sources: Relapse (original repository) · Tom's Hardware · VideoCardz · Firmware 14.10
This is the announcement the scene had been waiting six years for. In late September 2026, the Relapse exploit was released: it opens up PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles from firmware 7.00 up to 13.60. In other words, very nearly the whole installed base.
How it works
The chain starts from the console's browser, then exploits a memory access flaw in the kernel (a use-after-free on aio_multi_wait) to obtain read and write access at system level. A loader then listens for incoming programs. The authors credited are Sonic_Iso, Jordy, ntfargo and ufm42.
What it is not
- It is not a custom firmware. Nothing is installed for good: the exploit is tethered, you have to run it again on every boot of the console.
- It is not foolproof. The authors say so themselves: the browser step sometimes takes several tries, and the kernel step can crash the console, which then has to restart before another attempt.
- Beware of fake repositories: since September, dozens of projects have taken up the names “Relapse”, “kstuff” or “Slopkit” with automatically generated descriptions. Do not take anything from anywhere other than the original repository.
Sony hit back within two days
On 1 October 2026, two days after the release, Sony published firmware 14.10, which closes the flaw. 14.00 had already been released on 16 September. The consequence is simple and worth repeating:
- If your PS5 is on 13.60 or below, whatever you do, do not update it.
- If it is already on 14.00 or 14.10, there is nothing to be done today: no public exploit goes that far.
- Your version can be read in Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
- When buying second hand, be careful: a recent console is almost certainly on 14.xx.
And the PS4?
Good news: it is the same flaw. On the PS4 side, it opens up firmwares 13.02 à 13.52, on top of the methods already known for earlier versions. The latest PS4 firmware, 14.00 of 16 September 2026, is not affected, however. The breakdown by firmware is in our tutorial which exploit for GoldHEN depending on your firmware.
One detail that could matter
According to data pulled by a site that tracks game sizes, GTA VI would require firmware 14.10 at the minimum when it comes out, announced for 19 November 2026. Neither Rockstar nor Sony has confirmed it, so we report it as unconfirmed — but were it to prove true, you would have to choose between an open console and that game.
Sources: Relapse (original repository) · Tom's Hardware · VideoCardz · Firmware 14.10
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