PlayStation 4 Lapse/Lua Exploit for V12.02 Explained

This is a bit of an update on the PlayStation 4 modding state.

Homebrew exploits on the PlayStation 4 are a bit of a moving target. The system is still in production as of 2025 so it’s still getting regular official firmware updates. As each system vulnerability is discovered and exploited, Sony releases a new firmware to block that entry point.

The previous latest exploit was the PPPwn exploit which worked using a vulnerability in the PPPoE networking software. This was released when the official firmware was at 11.00 and of course was then blocked very quickly by Sony. This left anyone running a firmware greater that 11.00 unable to homebrew their console.

The new exploit is the Lapse vulnerability which allows the custom software to gain kernel level access to the PlayStation 4. Once this is achieved it can then start to load its own custom scripts and payloads to take control of the console and enable our homebrew applications. This is where packages like GoldHEN are loaded to give us all the great features we expect.

Again this vulnerability has already been blocked so will only work up to firmware version 12.02. If you’ve already updated beyond this version you’ll need to wait for the next exploit to be discovered so please do make sure you turn off automatic updates and don’t install any more. The higher your official firmware the less options you’ll have for future homebrew enablers.

At the moment the current issue with the Lapse exploit is how to trigger it on the console.

The only route that works is through something called the Lua exploit.

Artemis is a graphic novel game engine that allows developers to create games for a wide range of consoles and systems, including the PlayStation 4. It contains a scripting function which uses the Lua programming language to allow game files to run pieces of code within the game engine. It’s these pieces of Lua coding that the developers have been able to hack to trigger the Lapse exploit.

So to be able to run the Lua entry route you need to have an Artemis based game that works and has the ability to be hacked through its game save file. A number of games have been identified as compatible with the mod and an up to date list is kept on shahrilnet’s remote_lua_loader GitHub repository.

All of the games are Japanese titles, and they all seem to be adult themed manga games. But having said that the physical disks will run on any region console so if you can get hold of a copy it will work for you.

Naturally the cost of these games has jumped since the exploit was released but you can still get hold of them through play-asia.com for around £60 or I think $80-90.

Once you’ve got a game the initial exploit setup is a little bit complicated as you have to get hold of a modified save file and inject that into your console. But once completed enabling the mod is very reliable and quick to get running.

I do have a game on order so as soon as I get that I’ll be making a modding video for my firmware 12.02 PS4 Pro, so do keep an eye out for that, or check the video description to see if I’ve already released that.

If you do want to have a go with this exploit make sure that you’re on firmware version 12.02 or less. If you’re on firmware 11.00 or less you can also have a look at the PPPwn exploit or one of the 9.00 webkit exploits. There may be some new methods of triggering the Lapse exploit on the way but for now you’ll need to get hold of one of the compliable games, so make sure you get your order in quick.

Recently the GoldHEN package has been updated to be compatible with the later firmwares so we’ve basically got a full homebrew solution for the 12.02 and below firmwares.

So make sure you’ve got everything in place and I guess I’ll see you in the modding video.