PS5 Firmware 14.10 Reportedly Hit by Prolapse Kernel Exploit, but GTA 6 Piracy Still Looks Unlikely for Now
Sony’s ongoing battle with PlayStation 5 hackers has taken another turn. A newly discussed PS5 kernel exploit known as Prolapse is reportedly compatible with system software versions 14.00 and 14.10, raising fresh interest in the console’s homebrew and jailbreak scene.
The timing has sparked attention because Rockstar’s highly anticipated GTA 6 may require firmware 14.10 when it launches. However, despite the exploit’s potential, the situation is far from a complete PS5 jailbreak solution, especially for users hoping to run game backups.
Prolapse is being described as a successor to the earlier Relapse exploit, but it works differently. According to PlayStation security researcher Jose Coixao, Prolapse targets a memory management flaw tied to the aio_multi_delete function. Coixao also advised PS5 owners interested in jailbreak research to avoid updating beyond firmware 14.00.
Sony recently released firmware update 14.20, officially listing improvements to messaging and usability on some screens. However, many in the homebrew community suspected the update also included security patches. Coixao later suggested that version 14.20 fixes the vulnerability used by Prolapse, meaning consoles already updated to the latest firmware may no longer be compatible with this exploit.
Another well-known figure in the PS5 hacking community, Gezine, had also teased a kernel exploit said to work on firmware 14.10. Still, Prolapse may have a better chance of becoming publicly available, as some researchers often keep their discoveries private to avoid giving Sony a faster path to patching them.
Even with this progress, the PS5 jailbreak scene still faces a major limitation. The current hypervisor bypass, known as Byepervisor-Reborn, reportedly does not work on firmware versions newer than 13.60. This is important because the hypervisor is a separate and powerful security layer on the PS5. Without a working bypass for newer firmware, dumping and booting PS5 game backups remains a major challenge.
That means GTA 6 may still be protected from piracy at launch, even if it does run on firmware 14.10. Previous data mining suggested that Rockstar’s upcoming open-world title could require PS5 system software 14.10, but a working kernel exploit alone would not be enough to create and run a bootable backup. There is also a chance the game could require an even newer firmware version by its expected November 19 release date.
For regular PS5 owners, the situation creates a familiar dilemma. Staying on older firmware may preserve potential jailbreak options, but it can also limit access to online features. PlayStation Network access currently requires users to be on at least firmware 14.10, although firmware 14.20 is not yet mandatory for PSN login. That requirement could change at any moment.
The Prolapse exploit is a notable development for PS5 homebrew enthusiasts, but it does not appear to open the door to widespread PS5 piracy just yet. Sony’s latest patches, the missing hypervisor bypass support, and possible firmware requirements for major upcoming games like GTA 6 all suggest that the console’s security remains difficult to fully overcome.
