SuperSU for Android smart phones updated to fix two exploits, download the updated version if you use rooted smart phones

This news is a must read news and this update is a must update version if you're a root user.  The maker of SuperSu, Chainfire yesterday updated the SuperSU App for Android smart phones and tablets.  

The latest version now bumps up number to v1.69.  Chainfire said that the update was necessitated because there were two exploits in the earlier version which could be exploited by potential attacker to use your smart phones root privileges without asking you permissions.  The update will fix this two exploits details fo which will be released by Chainfire on Monday.

The update also brings about some other minor bug fixes.  The change log of the update is given below

- XBIN mode (some new roots need this)

- Slightly adjusted binary installer

- Backup script installation now available for all backuptool-capable ROMs

- Fixed su-ing to a non-root user not working on some 4.3+ firmwares

- Fixed BOOTCLASSPATH vulnerability (CVE-2013-6774) - Fixed notification sanitization vulnerability (CVE-2013-6775) - Fixed possible closed special files vulnerability

- Updated language files

Download the latest SuperSu V 1.69 from Google Play for your Android smart phones and tablets

CyanogenMod to release user friendly version called 'PRO' says it aint about money and lets non geeks easily install CM on their Android smart phones

If you have rooted your phone, 70 % chances are that you are using a build made by CyanogenMod Team.   Rooting a device with the CyanogenMod ROM has distinct advantage over a non rooted phone.  First and foremost it lets you use the system processes which the native or stock ROMs don't offer.  For eg you have a quad-core processor Android smart phone but chances are that your stock ROM may never use all the processors simultaneously thereby wasting awesome processing power.  This is where the CyanogenMod ROM enters the field.  The ROMs released by Team CyanogenMod let you use your smart phone to its full potential. The ROMs may come with different names like stable build or Nightlies builds but for the rooting process you have to use around 30 different processes which are a strict taboo to a non technical guy.    

The rooting process may be easy for the techno addicts out there but it so happens that not all Android users are very tech adept or understand the process involved in rooting a Android phone.  Team CyanogenMod has itself given a beautiful example of Steve's mother wanting to use a CyanogenMod ROM rooted phone but may not be able to do so because of being technologically challenged.  This is were the newly launched initiative by Team CyanogenMod kicks off.  It will launch 2 new 'Pro' ROMs along with Installer packages.  This means that the processes will remain the same but Steve's Mom now has to go to CyanogenMods webpage sign up with her own credentials (register afresh or use old login id) and download the ROM alongwith the Installer. 

"Steve’s mother doesn’t need root or to alter DPI’s. She needs something that will stay current, protected and work without having to configure thirty different settings. Those settings will still be there, she can enable root easily should she choose to, but its not required for her to enjoy her CM experience. Should she want to become a hacker, she can flash the Community Edition(the current CyanogenMod ROMs) and go to town!"

The CyanogenMod page says that these Pro ROMs are targeted at those who are not comfortable with messing up their phones with technical mumbo jumbo but want the benefits of a CyanogenMod ROM.  

“…Instead, this is the build that is targeted at those not comfortable enough with the process to do it themselves, the exact same people who an installer is beneficial. These builds will be signed with our own private keys and shipped as ‘user’ builds (much like the stock firmware that came with your device). This isn’t a fork of the Community Edition or the CyanogenMod Project as a whole, just a more secure build…”

For installing the same you need to have a CyanogenMod username and password.  The CM account will have additional benefits then just letting you install the Pro versions. The CM Account will also allow you to remotely wipe Android handset in case it is lost or stolen.  It will also allow you to remotely locate your Android smart phone through Google maps just like the Google's newly Android Device Manager only much more.  The CM account will also allow you to cross sync your devices as well as save your data securely online in the clouds.  

Once you open the CM account you have to install the PRO ROM on your smart phone with a unlocked bootloader.  If you don't like the CM, fine you can just go back to your stock ROM.  The Pro CyanogenMod ROM will not lock you down to its use.  According the CyanogenMod website the Pro version is currently being beta tested by over 3500 testers but is expected to hit the Play Store sometime “in the coming weeks.” 

This may probably be the best thing that happened to Android since its own launch.

Make your Android smart phone boot faster with BootManager (rooted phones only)

It would always be nice to control the things that start with our smart phone.  Just like we have MSCONFIG for Windows we always wanted a similar kind of thing for Android devices also.  And that is what XDA Forum member has come up with.  Defim has published a fully loaded BootManager which lets your control the bootloader.  In simple terms that means that you control the Apps your Android smart phone loads at startup and reduce the start up time drastically by disabling the unwanted Apps.

The BootManager  however works only with ROOTED Phones and with Wanam Xposed Framework installed on your smart phone.  So before installing the BootManager be sure to download and install the Xposed Framework module from here.

Once you have installed the Wanam Xposed Framework, head over to the Google Play and download the BootManager.  When you run the app for the first time, it will list down all apps set to run upon every boot of  your smart phone.   You have to just tap any App that you want disabled from startup entry.  The BootManager will then highlight the disabled App in RED which will mean that the App wont be booting during your smartphones startup.

For users who still have apps starting up even after disabling them from BootManager, the developer recommends using ReceiverStop – another Xposed framework module. 

Also please note that the free version of the App does not list or give access to system Apps set to boot with device startup as the free version lets you see and manage only user-installed. To control all boot items and system Apps, you will need to make an in-App donation.

Justin Case's MotoRoot App for rooting Moto X, Moto Droid MAXX, ULTRA and MINI

XDA Forum member Justin Case has come out with a rooting App for all Motorola devices.  The MotoRoot developed by him will help you customize the your Moto X, as well as the entire Droid family, Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra, and Droid Mini.   Justin developed this App taking advantage of the second "Master Key" exploit in Motorola, which uses the signing key of a trusted App but installs the custom code to gain the read/write privileges.  The Google being a hard taskmaster has fixed this exploit in latest update Android 4.3 Jelly Bean so this App and rooting method wont work if you have upgraded your Moto X, Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra and Droid Mini to Android 4.3.

But if you haven't than you should give this rooting App a try.  It lets you customise your Motorola phones the way you want it. However do remember that rooting your phone will disable its warranty and in some circumstances, brick the phone.

First and foremost you have to download the carrier specific file.  

Please do take care while selecting the file

The below files are for Moto X phone

1. MotoRoot for Verizon

2. MotoRoot for USCellular

3. MotoRoot for Sprint

4. MotoRoot for Rogers

5. MotoRoot for ATT

6. SuperSU v1.66-xbin.apk

The below files are for Motorola Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra and Droid Mini

1. SuperSU v1.66-xbin.apk

2. MotoRoot for Droid

Once you have download the files to your SD card follow the simple instructions below :

1. Install it by typing:
   'adb install -r motoroot.apk' (Note: filenames vary by device and carrier#).
2. Run the app on your device.
3. Tap on the 'Setup' button and wait for the phone to reboot.
4. Install SuperSU from the Play Store.

#Filename differs per firmware for example install MotoRoot-1-att.apk for AT&T, MotoRoot-1-vzw.apk for Verizon, etc.  The -r paramenter is required if installing with adb

The rooting process developed by Justin is the simplest there is, if you like it kindly donate to his cause by sending your donations by PayPal to jcase@cunninglogic.com.

If you have any problems with the rooting you can opt for either

Unroot:

Two choices, factory reset, or press the unroot menu option in the app.

Reroot:

Run into a problem? try hittung unroot then re-rooting.

The SuperSu on Google Play has ot able to update su yet, this will be fixed in an update shortly. su is maintained in a ext4 img at /data/xbin.img and mounted over /system/xbin at BOOT_COMPLETE. su is not available for the first few seconds of boot.

You can also watch this video tutorial for rooting your Motorola Moto X, Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra and Droid Mini