temp root exploit for sony xperia XZ2/XZ2c/XZ2p/XZ3 with android 10 firmware
including temporal magisk setup from the exploit
The exploit uses CVE-2020-0041 originally designed for Pixel 3 running kernel 4.9.
I have adapted the Pixel 3 specific exploit for kernel 4.9 that is used with sony TAMA platform phones running Android 10 with February 2020 security patch level.
This has been tested only with xperia XZ2 H8216-52.1.A.0.618 target, but support for other targets have been implemented based on analysis of each kernel image from target firmware.
Please note, it is unlikely that any other fw version than those listed above would work.
The only (unlikely) case when the exploit could work with different fw version (or different phone model) would be that they would use binary identical kernel image in the firmware.
USAGE HOWTO INCLUDING MAGISK SETUP
be sure to run supported firmware version on your phone (you may need to downgrade, involving factory reset)
enable developer mode options and in there adb debugging (eventually install adb drivers)
download the tama-mroot.zip with the exploit attached in this post
download Magisk-v20.4.zip from magisk releases page on github here
use 'adb push tama-mroot.zip Magisk-v20.4.zip /data/local/tmp' to copy the zips to the phone
unzip and prepare magisk setup with following commands in 'adb shell'
Code:
cd /data/local/tmp
unzip tama-mroot.zip
chmod 755 tama-mroot magisk-setup.sh magisk-start.sh
./magisk-setup.sh
get temp root and start magisk up with following commands in 'adb shell':
Code:
cd /data/local/tmp
./tama-mroot
./magisk-start.sh -1
./magisk-start.sh -2
./magisk-start.sh -3
Now you can exit the temp root shell and use 'su' to get a root shell controlled by magisk manager or allow other apps that need root as asking for root permission now works.
The magisk setup from exploit including working permission asking has been fully developed by me, it uses some novel techniques to overcome the limitations caused by magisk run from a temp root instead of being integrated in boot process as a service.
Please be careful what you use the temp root for.
Changing something in partitions protected by dm-verity (or Android Verified Boot 2.0), like for example /system, /vendor or kernel boot image, can result with a not anymore booting phone.
This is why it is called 'temp root' - you get a root shell only temporarily, it is lost with reboot and it does not allow to make permanent changes in crucial partitions - you would need to unlock bootloader for that.
Some partitions might still be possible to modify - for example in case of sony xperia xz1 phones it was possible to do permanent debloat via changes in /oem partition and such debloat would survive even factory reset. Similarly some modem configs have been present in /oem allowing to setup IMS for different operators/regions or tune other modem related stuff.
Please note, this exploit will get you a root shell with still locked TAMA platform phones that could allow to backup TA partition in still locked state, having drm keys (the device key) still there. Backup of TA partition now works with tama-mroot avoiding 'Required key not available' you could experience with previously released tama-root.
There is currently no known method though how to restore drm functionalities after bootloader unlock even after restoring TA partition from the locked state backup.
For details please check exploiting xperia XZ2 - good and bad news post and following discussion there.
SOURCES
Exploit sources for all releases are available at my github here.
CREDITS
Big thanks to Blue Frost Security for the excellent writeup and the exploit itself.
DONATIONS
If you like my work, you can donate using the Donate to Me button with several methods there.
Thank you very much to all who donate.
Relative noob here, I have a few questions with temporary root,
1- can I remove preinstalled apps e.g. I want to remove the preinstalled FB app,would it reappear after a reboot?
2- would this wipe our phones?
3- would it affect the camera etc
So who's gonna go first? I'm interested to know if an ad block app like adaway can be installed now that modifies the hosts files. Or can I use titanium backup to backup/restore an app+data? There was an app I used to use via Xposed that let YouTube play in background as well, perhaps I can backup that app from old phone and restore it on my xz2c?
Edit: tried it, it works on my XZ2C H8314 on Verizon. Not sure what to do with it though. Seems that it just gives me a shell with root, dunno how that helps me get an app installed that needs root like adaway unless somehow I figure out what adaway app does behind the scenes and do it manually through the root shell?
well that didn't work, i guess the hosts file is in /system/etc/ so if we cant modify anything in /system then i guess even just modifying the hosts file could break something?
@Mike7143, to provide root access to apps, root manager like magisk is needed.
It can be started from an exploit (possibly with a bit limited functionality) as shown in this thread. Unfortunately that old magisk does not work with android 10.
I tried to start up latest magisk from the exploit, but it ended with magisk manager detected magisk root alright, but I could not make sending notifications from apps to ask magisk for root permission somehow.
So currently only the shell is available, allowing for example to backup still locked TA partition.
You can do small changes in /system, but if you would not get red triangle on boot, it would possibly revert the change.
You can modify stuff in /system on runtime "system less-ly" exactly like magisk does it though, using bind mounts.
Some partitions might still be possible to modify - for example in case of Sony Xperia XZ1 phones it was possible to do permanent debloat via changes in /oem partition and such debloat would survive even factory reset. Similarly some modem configs have been present in /oem allowing to setup IMS for different operators/regions or tune other modem related stuff.
Thanks for mentioning the VoLTE modem config on still locked XZ1 devices! Somehow I didn't read that in the XZ1 thread. Good to know! Maybe I won't unlock the bootloader of my backup XZ1, because adding VoLTE for my German telco provider Congstar to the stock firmware is enough for my use case.
Please note, this exploit will get you a root shell with still locked TAMA platform phones that could allow to backup TA partition in still locked state, having drm keys (the device key) still there.
There is currently no known method though how to restore drm functionalities after bootloader unlock even after restoring TA partition from the locked state backup. For details please check exploiting xperia XZ2 - good and bad news post and following discussion there.
...Good news is that I've managed to adapt the first stage and eventually have been able to backup TA partition still in locked state. But then it went south, phone complained about corruption or something, refusing to boot and just powered off with no way of recovery - except bootloader unlock, that allowed me to eventually fix it.
So... if I'm reading this right, even just backing up the TA partition on the XZ2C caused something to break, forcing you to unlock? I was thinking maybe I should figure out how to backup my TA partition as well just in case in the future there's a fix, but if it's going to break it by just backing it up, that's an issue as well.
---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 AM ----------
... I tried to start up latest magisk from the exploit, but it ended with magisk manager detected magisk root alright, but I could not make sending notifications from apps to ask magisk for root permission somehow.
So currently only the shell is available, allowing for example to backup still locked TA partition.
You can do small changes in /system, but if you would not get red triangle on boot, it would possibly revert the change.
You can modify stuff in /system on runtime "system less-ly" exactly like magisk does it though, using bind mounts.
So, basically all we have is temp root via adb shell. Doesn't seem that magisk works. I guess I'm not sure what you mean by "small" changes in /system, what is "small"? Coming from a 2013 Moto X developer edition that I could do anything with I'm really missing adaway and youtube adaway on my new XZ2C H8314. Not sure if modifying my hosts file would be considered small or not, and that doesn't take care of youtube adaway of which I'm not even sure how that works. DNS666 seems to be an alternative to adaway but it's not taking care of youtube.
Regarding modifying /system "system-lessly", I'll admit I'm a rookie when it comes to this stuff, I either have a lot to learn/read up on or wait for an easier to use app/workaround.
It seems like in your XZ1C post you and others were working on getting the XZ2C sorted out but since decided to go back and focus on the XZ1C?
@brunos0, the exploit cannot work with .672 firmware, the kernel in it already contains the vulnerability fix.
There is the list of supported targets / fw versions in the OP...
I am not aware of any method that would allow you to re-lock unlocked xz2* phone.
@SGH-i200, yes, I believe it should be possible to temp root oreo running xz1, from it flash your pie's oem partition, modify it according to your needs and upgrade with newflasher to latest pie skipping flash of oem partition, getting you latest stock pie with modified oem...
Concerning TA restore on XZ2c (or any other tama platform phone): it actually _is_ possible to easily restore TA partition from locked state backup, returning your device key (aka drm keys) back.
But it somehow seems the firmware does not use it anyway for some reason. Unfortunately even kernel hiding bootloader unlock does not help like it did with xz1* phones.
So it might happen that someone discovers a way to make drm features work if you have the keys restored from locked TA backup...
@Mike7143, no, that is a misunderstanding... That linked post, where I describe my initial exploiting of xz2 - that has been completely different exploit. That exploit has been originally designed for xz1c, ported partially for xz2 and in the process of trying/testing/implementing it, something broke... It has nothing to do with just released CVE-2020-0041 based exploit for xz2* phones.
So this new exploit is perfectly safe, only doing changes in RAM of linux kernel to escalate to root user with selinux changed to permissive.
After a reboot all is gone, no root or anything left from the exploit...
So you can safely backup locked TA to preserve the device key (drm keys) for future use.
Concerning changes - simply forget changing /system or /vendor or kernel boot partition.
It is however possible to use bind mounts to make "changes" on runtime, but that requires some knowledge obviously.
Maybe I can fix setup of magisk from the temproot exploit, but no promises, spent already huge amount of time on that and getting out of ideas unfortunately.
Thanks @j4nn for the reply. So you're saying that simply backing up the TA partition now while on this version and have temp root access shouldn't cause the phone to break? If so, I suppose it's worthwhile to get it backed up in case there's ever a future solution to restore it and have the system recognize it. Is the below quote from your OP regarding temp root on XZ1C how I'd backup my TA partition on my XZ2C?
If so, seems pretty straight forward to backup the TA partition with my DRM keys!
Regarding systemless changes with bind mounts, I'll have to look into that. I found one post here that seems like it's just making a link to another location that perhaps might work, but perhaps even just swapping out a file for a link might not be safe. I'm probably better off just waiting for someone to make more user-friendly tools and then make donations vs. trying to learn on my own and risk breaking my device!
If I can find a cheap/broken screen H8314 I might be able to buy it if it'd help with development of getting the XZ2C to be unlocked/rooted and retaining all the Sony features. I plan on using this phone for a while just like I just traded my 2013 Moto X for the XZ2C in 2020!
@Mike7143, yes, that's the way to back up TA even in case of XZ2* phones.
Here is an example to use bind mount to change hosts temporarily on runtime from a root shell:
As it seems .618 fw versions get missing from xperifirm, please let me know if you need some - I still have following:
H8116_Customized IBE_1313-3189_52.1.A.0.618_R3C
H8166_Customized FR_1313-2540_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8216_Customized UK_1313-4679_52.1.A.0.618_R5C
H8266_Customized FR_1313-2481_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8296_Customized TW_1313-6119_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8314_Customized FR_1313-2468_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8324_Customized FR_1313-2469_52.1.A.0.618_R2C
H8416_Customized IBE_1316-6423_52.1.A.0.618_R5C
H9436_Customized FR_1316-3076_52.1.A.0.618_R6C
H9493_Customized HK_1316-2331_52.1.A.0.532_R2C
so I may upload it on request.
I would be happy, if you mirror "H8324_*_52.1.A.0.618_R2C" for me! I forgot to check Xperifirm right after I read about your new temp root success. Shame on me.
@SGH-i200, you can download it here: https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=312525
H8324_Customized FR_1313-2469_52.1.A.0.618_R2C.zip @Mike7143, you are right, it seems there is some limitation with the root permissions. I will check it. Probably would need some extension in the exploit.
@Mike7143, you are right, it seems there is some limitation with the root permissions. I will check it. Probably would need some extension in the exploit.
Thanks for verifying that it wasn't something I'm not doing correctly! Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming that your XZ2C was on Android 10 and you had to unlock the BL to get it working again? Would you be able to provide a list of things that are now broken due to the unlock and loss of DRM keys so that folks like myself might be able to weigh whether or not we want to unlock? I'd really like to know exactly what I'm giving up, at least today on Android 10 for an unlocked BL so I can weigh the pros and cons. I'm not sure if you're familiar enough with the XZ2C and know what all features it had before and what's gone missing/broken after.
I can read lots about what's been broken and not on past versions of Android, but I'm not finding a lot of info yet on what's changed in Android 10, if anything. I have read that BL unlock on Android 10 doesn't break the camera anymore but it's unclear to me if reports are that the camera is no longer completely broken (green screen) but any Sony processing perks are gone, or if the camera and all the Sony stuff related to the camera and image processing are no longer affected.
@Mike7143, my xz2 unlock has been done on 52.0.A.8.131, that is a pie firmware. That time (2019-10-03) android Q had not been available for xz2 yet.
So I cannot help you with those questions, sorry.
temp root exploit for sony xperia XZ2/XZ2c/XZ2p/XZ3 with android 10 firmware
including temporal magisk setup from the exploit
The exploit uses CVE-2020-0041 originally designed for Pixel 3 running kernel 4.9.
I have adapted the Pixel 3 specific exploit for kernel 4.9 that is used with sony TAMA platform phones running Android 10 with February 2020 security patch level.
This has been tested only with xperia XZ2 H8216-52.1.A.0.618 target, but support for other targets have been implemented based on analysis of each kernel image from target firmware.
Please note, it is unlikely that any other fw version than those listed above would work.
The only (unlikely) case when the exploit could work with different fw version (or different phone model) would be that they would use binary identical kernel image in the firmware.
USAGE HOWTO INCLUDING MAGISK SETUP
be sure to run supported firmware version on your phone (you may need to downgrade, involving factory reset)
enable developer mode options and in there adb debugging (eventually install adb drivers)
download the tama-mroot.zip with the exploit attached in this post
download Magisk-v20.4.zip from magisk releases page on github here
use 'adb push tama-mroot.zip Magisk-v20.4.zip /data/local/tmp' to copy the zips to the phone
unzip and prepare magisk setup with following commands in 'adb shell'
Code:
cd /data/local/tmp
unzip tama-mroot.zip
chmod 755 tama-mroot magisk-setup.sh magisk-start.sh
./magisk-setup.sh
get temp root and start magisk up with following commands in 'adb shell':
Code:
cd /data/local/tmp
./tama-mroot
./magisk-start.sh -1
./magisk-start.sh -2
./magisk-start.sh -3
Now you can exit the temp root shell and use 'su' to get a root shell controlled by magisk manager or allow other apps that need root as asking for root permission now works.
The magisk setup from exploit including working permission asking has been fully developed by me, it uses some novel techniques to overcome the limitations caused by magisk run from a temp root instead of being integrated in boot process as a service.
Please be careful what you use the temp root for.
Changing something in partitions protected by dm-verity (or Android Verified Boot 2.0), like for example /system, /vendor or kernel boot image, can result with a not anymore booting phone.
This is why it is called 'temp root' - you get a root shell only temporarily, it is lost with reboot and it does not allow to make permanent changes in crucial partitions - you would need to unlock bootloader for that.
Some partitions might still be possible to modify - for example in case of sony xperia xz1 phones it was possible to do permanent debloat via changes in /oem partition and such debloat would survive even factory reset. Similarly some modem configs have been present in /oem allowing to setup IMS for different operators/regions or tune other modem related stuff.
Please note, this exploit will get you a root shell with still locked TAMA platform phones that could allow to backup TA partition in still locked state, having drm keys (the device key) still there. Backup of TA partition now works with tama-mroot avoiding 'Required key not available' you could experience with previously released tama-root.
There is currently no known method though how to restore drm functionalities after bootloader unlock even after restoring TA partition from the locked state backup.
For details please check exploiting xperia XZ2 - good and bad news post and following discussion there.
SOURCES
Exploit sources for all releases are available at my github here.
CREDITS
Big thanks to Blue Frost Security for the excellent writeup and the exploit itself.
DONATIONS
If you like my work, you can donate using the Donate to Me button with several methods there.
Thank you very much to all who donate.
As it seems .618 fw versions get missing from xperifirm, please let me know if you need some - I still have following:
H8116_Customized IBE_1313-3189_52.1.A.0.618_R3C
H8166_Customized FR_1313-2540_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8216_Customized UK_1313-4679_52.1.A.0.618_R5C
H8266_Customized FR_1313-2481_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8296_Customized TW_1313-6119_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8314_Customized FR_1313-2468_52.1.A.0.618_R4C
H8324_Customized FR_1313-2469_52.1.A.0.618_R2C
H8416_Customized IBE_1316-6423_52.1.A.0.618_R5C
H9436_Customized FR_1316-3076_52.1.A.0.618_R6C
H9493_Customized HK_1316-2331_52.1.A.0.532_R2C
so I may upload it on request.
