A video posted by developer Gezine on X appears to show the latest PlayStation 5 firmware (14.10.00) running with hidden Debug Settings enabled, which typically requires kernel-level access to the console's operating system. The exploit is notable because Sony released this firmware in October, and datamining suggests Grand Theft Auto VI requires it to run. That would have blocked the game from playing on jailbroken consoles using older firmware, closing a loophole opened by the earlier "Relapse" jailbreak.
For Sony and game publishers, the timing is awkward. GTA VI is the year's biggest release, priced at $80, and even physical copies only contain a download code. A working crack could push some players toward piracy, especially given the game's console exclusivity. However, the source notes that a kernel exploit is only one ingredient needed to unlock a game for unauthorized use; a separate hypervisor exploit is still missing, and no such hack has materialized.
Gezine has not publicly shared the method and said they are "gonna ask for disclosure later," suggesting they may report it to Sony's bug bounty program instead. Sony has not acknowledged the hack. As it stands, the exploit raises a business concern for Sony and Rockstar, but GTA VI remains protected by additional security layers that have yet to be cracked.