[Root]VM670 Security Update Needs New Root Solution

[JerryScript]

Recently, Virgin Mobile unleashed a "security" update for the VM670 Optimus V, VM670ZV9, previously the stock was VM670ZV5. This new update installs a new recovery, new boot.img, new radio.img, and removes root, and is not rootable via the current methods used for the OV (Gingerbreak or SuperOneClick).

The OTA mechanism is borked on the OV, so they have placed information about it on their website, and are sending text messages to users informing them of the available update. You have to download instructions, which walk users step by step through the update process, which is very similar to flashing a custom ROM on the OV.

Anyone up for a rooting challenge? Want to break the latest attempt at locking down our Androids? We could use help from anyone who thinks they may have a solution. The update.zip is linked below, just waiting to be broken.

Virgin Mobile Optimus V VM670ZV9 update.zip

Update Instructions pdf

 

[JerryScript]

So, we took apart the update, and successfully flashed just the radio. From reports received from users who flashed the full update, the radio is about the only thing useful. However, we are still going to try to root the package.

I have never been involved in the initial rooting process, so anyone with knowledge, please correct/add what is needed:

-- extract ramdisk and change default prop ro.secure to 0
-- add su and busybox binaries
edit-- rewrite install-recovery.sh to prevent recovery rewrite from boot.img
-- add a custom recovery directory
-- add lines at end of update-script to write a custom recovery
-- re-sign

Seems a bit too easy, so please let me know if/what I'm missing here.

 

[Hardwire03]

Do you know if there is a way to rollback to the older version? Or do you know how long it may take for someone to make it rootable again? I am ticked that I updated w/o knowing that it would unroot my phone as this is my first smartphone.

 

[jcase]

I'm interested in rooting this device, need someone with adb setup and working to get a hold of me.

*Edit*

Pretty sure I have this one done.

 

[JerryScript]

@jcase: YOU THE MAN!!!!

instructions soon, gotta write them up so they make sense.

 

[jcase]

Instructions

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1562258

 

[Hardwire03]

I can confirm this works as it was my phone we did this on!

 

[ZombieSnipe]

Help

I have no idea what all this means, im a noob on rooting on android, please put a tutorial in the simplest form step by step for a noob to understand. my os on pc is ubuntu 12.10.