2.5.2 Hacks?

[FrozenRiver]

Hello, porkupan... Does the jailbreak that you suggested help with the installation of usbNetwork? I need it because I need to "register" my kindle, so that I can use the collection feature of 2.5. I am using a DX US outside the US, and so I cannot register it via whispernet.

Thanks.

[Granvillen]

Porkupan: You mentioned the Unicode Hack. I am 72 and need a different font. Would that do it and where can I download it? Thanks. I wish I was as sharp as you young folk.

[clarknova]

Originally Posted by porkupan

Yes, 2.5.2 is just as hackable as 2.3. The "tarbomb" doesn't work, that is true. But jailbreaking is possible, and it has been achieved (many thanks to our Chinese comrades-in-arms who came up with the idea without knowing they were coming up with the idea for a general jailbreak).

Actually, they're still using the tarbomb. But they're exploiting the default update script that we already have a signature for, and it extracts the tarbomb to overwrite the signing key. This needs to be fixed, however, as there's no reason to overwrite the key, just install a new one. The update scripts use any keys in the directory. Then the "jailbreak" wouldn't have to be uninstalled.

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by clarknova

Actually, they're still using the tarbomb.

"They" who?

But they're exploiting the default update script that we already have a signature for, and it extracts the tarbomb to overwrite the signing key. This needs to be fixed, however, as there's no reason to overwrite the key, just install a new one. The update scripts use any keys in the directory. Then the "jailbreak" wouldn't have to be uninstalled.

I'll look into it. The idea to substitute the primary key was jyavenard's, we just got it to work on 2.5. I don't have access to a Kindle at this moment, so I cannot dump the filesystem and take a look at the updater script. If you post it here, or at least post the part where it picks the public key from /etc/uks, I will make a new jailbreak. Probably.

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by FrozenRiver

Hello, porkupan... Does the jailbreak that you suggested help with the installation of usbNetwork? I need it because I need to "register" my kindle, so that I can use the collection feature of 2.5. I am using a DX US outside the US, and so I cannot register it via whispernet.

Thanks.

Here it is. A word of caution: I have not tested this package (at some point I installed it on 2.3 and then upgraded to 2.5, and it didn't stop working). I am 99% sure it works, but you cannot sue me for the loss of your Kindle if it doesn't.

The way you install it is like this:
1) jailbreak
2) install this package
3) uninstall jailbreak (optional)

[test011]

Originally Posted by porkupan

Here it is. A word of caution: I have not tested this package (at some point I installed it on 2.3 and then upgraded to 2.5, and it didn't stop working). I am 99% sure it works, but you cannot sue me for the loss of your Kindle if it doesn't.

The way you install it is like this:
1) jailbreak
2) install this package
3) uninstall jailbreak (optional)

Thanks for the file. What a hopeful news.

I have a questions, since 3) is optional, does this mean regular firmwares can still be used with jailbreak installed? (as some previous post suggested, not overwriting the key but appending one?)

[test011]

Originally Posted by FrozenRiver

Hello, porkupan... Does the jailbreak that you suggested help with the installation of usbNetwork? I need it because I need to "register" my kindle, so that I can use the collection feature of 2.5. I am using a DX US outside the US, and so I cannot register it via whispernet.

Thanks.

Can usbNetwork really be used to register DX US? (to enable collection feature in 2.5, of course.)

Many of my colleagues are outside US with DX US - for me, I am abroad with k2i. lucky me I am not sure but, I think I've read somewhere about some real Whispernet tower ID is necessary to register the device.

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by test011

I have a questions, since 3) is optional, does this mean regular firmwares can still be used with jailbreak installed? (as some previous post suggested, not overwriting the key but appending one?)

No, it doesn't. To install regular firmware you will have to remove jailbreak. However, if you are planning to install more hacks/updates, you may not want to remove the jailbreak until you are fully done. Don't forget that for package uninstalls you will need to re-apply the jailbreak (unless by then an install method not requiring a separate jailbreak is invented).

I suggest you try to select packages, which do not require uninstall when upgrading the stock firmware. usbnetwork is one of those, the font substitution hack is another.

If instead of overwriting /etc/uks/pubprodkey01.pem we were making /etc/uks/pubprodkey05.pem, the jailbreak wouldn't need to be removed. However I would need some proof that such a jailbreak would actually work.

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by test011

Can usbNetwork really be used to register DX US?

Well, here are the instructions. Why not try following them, and see what happens?

[clarknova]

Originally Posted by porkupan

"They" who?

My bad. I had wrongly assumed the exploit was from some unnamed Chinese hackers.

[test011]

Originally Posted by porkupan

Well, here are the instructions. Why not try following them, and see what happens?

I would like to. Mine still has warranty too.

But the fact that I am oversea, one of those remote corner of world where Amazon does not ship Kindle directly endows me with just about $160 replacement shipping (by proxy) and customs - yes they set taxes, tariff and VAT, on replacement unit here - if my kindle goes brick, and forces me to think again.

So, naturally, as second choice, I let my colleagues know about this post. (...and waiting in relative safety) One of them is bound to try soon. hehe oops. I shouldn't say this, should I?

[test011]

BTW, is there anyway to trick the device to reinstall stock firmware again? (install same version again or downgrade, etc.)

[RenegadeScribe]

Originally Posted by test011

BTW, is there anyway to trick the device to reinstall stock firmware again? (install same version again or downgrade, etc.)

I'd love to find out if this could be done also.

Alex

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by test011

BTW, is there anyway to trick the device to reinstall stock firmware again? (install same version again or downgrade, etc.)

Amazon probably has a complete image somewhere, which they install on the new Kindles. However, they are not releasing it to the public. As far as I know there is no easy way to reinstall the complete image of an earlier version of Kindle firmware out there in the hacking world.

Not that it can't be done. One can hook up the serial port, and burn the image via uBoot. One can make an update, which will reflash the entire Rootfs. It is possible, but it requires some rather serious Linux skills.

[test011]

The idea is that overwriting with stock firmware - released on Az's web site - over on a broken device - not completely broken, but mild troubles, something like normal stock firmware refuses to be installed, one of font is missing or unknown hacks applied and so on - since same version of firmware cannot be installed.