Tools 5.18.6 JB for PW5/PW5SE/KT5

hhhhhhhhh · Yesterday, 02:52 PM

This is a (poorly) adapted version of the Chromium bug CVE-2020-16040 for the Kindle Browser. Hopefully it can serve as a more convenient jailbreak for these models that doesn't require registration.

Guide:

Quote:

1. Ensure your Kindle is filled and there is no space to automatically update. The jailbreak process involves connecting to the Internet.
2. Extract kindle_files.zip and copy the three files inside to the root of the Kindle
3. Visit https://kindlemodding.org/nosb using the Kindle browser and follow the instructions
4. Follow the usual steps to install the hotfix - https://kindlemodding.org/jailbreaki...eak/index.html

Before 5.19.2, Amazon used incorrect command line flags in an attempt to disable Just-in-time (JIT) compilation and make the ancient version of Chromium more secure. The PW5/KT5 both run without the Chromium sandbox enabled, meaning no sandbox escape is needed to jailbreak the device. This will not work without a sandbox escape on most other Kindles.

Credits:
Rajvardhan Agarwal (r4j) - Original CVE-2020-16040 POC
HackerDude - jb.sh script

aaaaaaaaaagh · Today, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hhhhhhhhh

This is a (poorly) adapted version of the Chromium bug CVE-2020-16040 for the Kindle Browser. Hopefully it can serve as a more convenient jailbreak for these models that doesn't require registration.

Think this could work with other models? Willing to test it on my KPW11SE tonight or is that a no-go? Miffed that an automatic update before I could stop it ruined my chances of jailbreaking...

shamanNS · Today, 11:59 AM

"KPW11SE" is just "SE" of PW5 ( = what we here use as a name for device that Amazon calls "Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation"). Sooo, that would be a "PW5SE" mentioned in the title. So yes, it should work.

aaaaaaaaaagh · Today, 12:40 PM

Quote:

"KPW11SE" is just "SE" of PW5 ( = what we here use as a name for device that Amazon calls "Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation"). Sooo, that would be a "PW5SE" mentioned in the title. So yes, it should work.

Thanks! I'm sooo new to this lol! didn't realise the 11th gen was PW5. I'm home now with USB into the kindle so I'll run it and let you know how it goes

j.p.s · Today, 01:05 PM

Have a look at this for kindle nicknames:
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_Serial_Numbers

aaaaaaaaaagh · Today, 01:28 PM

Log of how it went:
- Opened on Airplane, ensured firmware version 5.18.6
- Filled up the space, reads 0.00 GB of 27.30 GB
- Opened the website. Big picture of Jeff Bezos' face with an "L" on his forehead, tells me to press the L to jailbreak
- Pressed a few times, doesn't seem to do anything. Paused to type this and it goes back to the main menu saying"Application Error. The selected application could not be started. Please try again."
- Trying again.
- Looked like nothing happened at first but got text overlay on screen showing nosb jailbreak and a "finished jailbreak, please install HOTFIX now" message!!!!!!
- Installing hotfix:
- Put back in airplane mode
- Downloaded hotfix file
- Plugged in USB and deleted a single 10MB space-filling file to allow enough space for hotfix
- Dropped into root
- No other .bin files...
- Ejected, unplugged...
- On Kindle navigated to "Update your Kindle" and accepted update
- IT'S WORKING!
- Couple minutes later back to home screen with "Run Hotfix" book. Tapped and run!

@hhhhhhhhh a massive thank you to you and everyone else involved, fantastic effort!

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Today, 11:59 AM	#3
shamanNS Wizard Posts: 1,165 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Serbia Device: Kindle PW5, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle PW1	"KPW11SE" is just "SE" of PW5 ( = what we here use as a name for device that Amazon calls "Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation"). Sooo, that would be a "PW5SE" mentioned in the title. So yes, it should work.

Today, 01:05 PM	#5
j.p.s Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,952 Karma: 106544915 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: pb360	Have a look at this for kindle nicknames: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_Serial_Numbers

Today, 01:28 PM	#6
aaaaaaaaaagh Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2026 Device: PW5-SE	Log of how it went: - Opened on Airplane, ensured firmware version 5.18.6 - Filled up the space, reads 0.00 GB of 27.30 GB - Opened the website. Big picture of Jeff Bezos' face with an "L" on his forehead, tells me to press the L to jailbreak - Pressed a few times, doesn't seem to do anything. Paused to type this and it goes back to the main menu saying"Application Error. The selected application could not be started. Please try again." - Trying again. - Looked like nothing happened at first but got text overlay on screen showing nosb jailbreak and a "finished jailbreak, please install HOTFIX now" message!!!!!! - Installing hotfix: - Put back in airplane mode - Downloaded hotfix file - Plugged in USB and deleted a single 10MB space-filling file to allow enough space for hotfix - Dropped into root - No other .bin files... - Ejected, unplugged... - On Kindle navigated to "Update your Kindle" and accepted update - IT'S WORKING! - Couple minutes later back to home screen with "Run Hotfix" book. Tapped and run! @hhhhhhhhh a massive thank you to you and everyone else involved, fantastic effort!