According to foreign media reports, the source code of Microsoft's Xbox game console has been leaked online, as well as the Windows NT 3.5 code. The source code of Xbox includes the operating system kernel on the original game console, which is a customized version of Windows 2000. We can confirm that the Xbox operating system leaked on the Internet earlier this month is true.
A Microsoft spokesman told The Verge in a statement: "We have taken note of these reports and are urgently investigating."
Although the content leaked by Xbox OS includes some building environments, Xbox development kits, simulators for testing and internal documents, we understand that this kernel and source code have been circulated privately among enthusiasts before. This means that it is unlikely to help further develop Xbox homebrew systems and Xbox game simulators.
When Xbox leaked, the source code of Windows NT 3.5, which was close to the final version, also appeared on the Internet. The source code includes all the necessary building tools, which should allow enthusiasts to dig into the old operating system. Since Windows NT 3.5 support ended in December 2001 and the operating system is only used in a few systems worldwide, source code disclosure is not a major security issue.
Over the years, Microsoft has largely protected its proprietary Windows and Xbox source code.
As early as 2004, some source codes of Windows 2000 and NT 4 were leaked. Even in 2017, some source codes of Windows 10 were published on the Internet. We asked Microsoft to comment on the Windows NT 3.5 source code disclosure event, but the company said that it had nothing to share about this special event.
