Root minimum required for root access (any device)

[patch]

All this talk about different rooting methods and how some are unreliable makes me want to learn exactly what's required.

So far from looking at different exploits and methods to root different phones, the most simplest to understand is Peter Alfonso's Galaxy S rooting method posted today it seems all you need is to find a way on your device to install the following:

1. /system/bin/su (is this included in stock and replaced or just doesn't exist in stock systems?)
2. /system/app/Superuser.apk (it seems the Android OS has a "super user access" intent that this listens for -- so when apps try to access su this picks app it up??)

 

[patch]

Looking at more and more different methods including ones that support multiple devices and this does seem all that is required.

I did discover a potential security issue depending on the method used, but it seems this is not the place to discuss it based on the lack of response.

 

[VIO]

Looking at more and more different methods including ones that support multiple devices and this does seem all that is required.

I did discover a potential security issue depending on the method used, but it seems this is not the place to discuss it based on the lack of response.

we care, just most of us aren't software people, even those of us in the root world aren't all techies.

Hell I only have limited coding experience (databases, vb.net, some tiny ass bit of java) and I seem to know a lot more than most in regards to tech stuff, but I am also very incapable of talking intelligently about, or understanding, android processes, security leaks, and the like.

O and I'm pretty sure the permissions have to be correct on the su binary, tho I could be mistaken.

but yeah, it looks like the .apk listens for a su call. if you are interested in the code it is here

as an aside, why is SU stand for superuser here when the normal linux command is Switch User?

 

[OMJ]

Looking at more and more different methods including ones that support multiple devices and this does seem all that is required.

I did discover a potential security issue depending on the method used, but it seems this is not the place to discuss it based on the lack of response.

sorry I didnt see this earlier but yes thats all thats required.

 

[patch]

Thanks for the response, and especially for the link to the source code for both!! Regarding the super user or switch user, it can go both ways I guess Traditionally on Unix system su with no parameters means you want to switch to the root or super user account, or you can also use it switch to another user account also if you specify the username in parameters.

I didn't mean my post in a bad way -- I ramped up very quickly on rooting the Motorola Droid from reading the guides and posts here so I do appreciate all the help from members here! But as you have noticed I am very curious to exactly what's going and I want to dive in deeper to truly understand whats going on my phone, maybe more so than most people whose goal is just to try custom ROMs.

 

[VIO]

Thanks for the response, and especially for the link to the source code for both!! Regarding the super user or switch user, it can go both ways I guess Traditionally on Unix system su with no parameters means you want to switch to the root or super user account, or you can also use it switch to another user account also if you specify the username in parameters.

I didn't mean my post in a bad way -- I ramped up very quickly on rooting the Motorola Droid from reading the guides and posts here so I do appreciate all the help from members here! But as you have noticed I am very curious to exactly what's going and I want to dive in deeper to truly understand whats going on my phone, maybe more so than most people whose goal is just to try custom ROMs.

I get that, I'm the same way. Tho, not being as technologically educated as you clearly are already, a lot of my concerns, thoughts, and curiosities canbe answered by the internet.

I have to say tho my foray into rooting my Eris, and then my Droid has been a catalyst finally getting around to installing and beginning to learn Linux. My programming experience is just a few years on and off doing Visual Basic based stuff for databases and simple Win programs in vb.net for DB support.

So yeah on the whole technical side (which I think is enormously interesting) it can be tough to get answers about for anything more than your "How do I fix my Bricked phone?" or "Can I delete amazon Mp3?". Then again that is because the audience here is more about use then anything else, and I mean that in a good way.

 

[OMJ]

you guys should check the development section. Lots of software devs that can answer more software centric questions there.

 

[patch]

you guys should check the development section. Lots of software devs that can answer more software centric questions there.

Didn't know there was a development section, thanks for the heads up

 

[OMJ]

Didn't know there was a development section, thanks for the heads up

Its actually called Android Developers...sorry I was tired last night