Xbox One Finally Hacked After 13 Years: The “Bliss” Glitch Explained

Xbox One “Unhackable” Fortress Finally Breached After 13 Years

In a historic moment for the cybersecurity and gaming communities, the Xbox One has been successfully hacked for the first time since its launch in 2013. The breakthrough was revealed by security researcher Markus ‘Doom’ Gaasedelen (working under the handle Bliss) at the RE//verse 2026 conference. For over a decade, Microsoft’s flagship 2013 console was considered one of the most secure consumer devices ever made, but that era has officially come to an end.

The “Bliss” Double Glitch: How It Was Done

The attack, dubbed the Bliss double glitch, utilizes a sophisticated hardware-based method known as Voltage Glitch Hacking (VGH). This technique involves precisely timed disruptions to the CPU’s power supply—measured in nanoseconds—to force the system to skip critical security checks during the boot process.

While this is conceptually similar to the “Reset Glitch Hack” (RGH) that bypassed Xbox 360 security, the Xbox One’s architecture is significantly more robust.

• Targeting the Boot ROM: The exploit attacks the immutable Boot ROM embedded within the silicon of the SoC.
• Unpatchable: Because the flaw is in the hardware itself, Microsoft cannot issue a software update to close the hole.
• Full System Access: The hack allows for the execution of unsigned code at every level, from the Hypervisor to the Operating System, granting complete control over the console.

A 13-Year Legacy of Security

Microsoft engineers have long touted the Xbox One as their most secure product. Unlike previous generations, the Xbox One was designed with multiple layers of hardware-backed isolation, preventing unauthorized code from ever reaching the core system. For seven years after its release, there were virtually no credible reports of a full system breach.

The success of the “Bliss” exploit is attributed to the fact that early Xbox One hardware revisions reportedly had certain anti-glitch “boobytraps” disabled or unconfigured in the Boot ROM. Researchers speculate that later models (like the Xbox One S or X) may have these protections enabled, potentially making the hack more difficult—or impossible—on newer hardware.

What This Means for the Future

The implications of this breach are massive for preservationists and the modding community:

• Emulation: Full access to the security processor and firmware allows for deeper decryption of game files, which is a vital step toward developing high-quality Xbox One emulators for PC.
• Homebrew & Linux: Developers can now begin exploring the installation of custom operating systems or unsigned homebrew software on the aging hardware.
• Mod Chips: Experts anticipate the development of automated Mod Chips that can perform the complex voltage glitching without requiring expensive lab equipment.

Warning: Not for the Casual User

While this is a milestone for researchers, it is currently out of reach for average users. Performing the Bliss glitch requires specialized hardware—including high-precision signal analyzers and voltage injectors—costing upwards of $500. Additionally, it requires advanced technical knowledge of electrical engineering and system architecture.

 Origin: Tomshardware