[CAUTION]⚠️ A REMINDER FOR USERS OBSESSED WITH ROOT MODULES
𝗠𝗘𝗢𝗪 𝗗𝗨𝗠𝗣
FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY, PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE AND SPREAD AWARENESS
Introduction
Many new root users, especially those interested in strong integrity, root hide, LSPosed etc. are unintentionally damaging their devices by installing suspicious modules without fully understanding the risks. Driven by enthusiasm, they often download numerous modules from untrusted sources, significantly increasing the chance of a serious malfunction (bricking).
Providing clearer guidance and accessible information is essential to help these users safely explore the world of Magisk modules.
What's HardBrick?
A hard brick in Android refers to a state where your device's operating system is so severely corrupted that it becomes completely unusable. It won't boot up, respond to commands, or even show the manufacturer's logo. And yes, it can be easily done through ROOT modules
In this article we will talk about how we can identify & avoid them.
SOLUTION
To ensure device safety, always download Magisk modules directly from the developer's official release channels, such as their GitHub repository or official / trusted Telegram channels. Modules obtained from unofficial groups or unknown individuals may contain malicious code or modifications that could harm your device. Exercise caution and verify the source before flashing any module.
Just don't follow everything a random ass dude says, use sources like Chat GPT, XDA,YouTube, and Telegram groups which are under proper moderation for help.
How to check -
Install MT Manager, it's a file manager through which you can read and modify any file without extracting the zip.
Here’s an overview of dangerous commands and actions that could harm an Android device when embedded in Magisk modules, along with why they are harmful:
Do not flash any module that contains such commands-
1. Deleting Critical System Files
Commands that delete important system files or directories can render a device inoperable (bricked) or break essential functionality.
👾 𝚛𝚖 -𝚛𝚏 /𝚜𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚖/*
Effect: This command deletes the contents of the /system partition, where most core Android files and apps reside. Without the system partition, the device may fail to boot.
👾 𝚛𝚖 -𝚛𝚏 /𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊/*
Effect: Deletes all user data stored on the /data partition, including apps, settings, and personal files. This would result in a complete data wipe.
👾 𝚛𝚖 -𝚛𝚏 /𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚛/*
Effect: If the device relies on a /vendor partition for hardware-specific files or drivers, removing it can cause functionality issues or even prevent booting.
👾 𝚛𝚖 -𝚛𝚏 /𝚜𝚢𝚜/*
Effect: The /sys partition contains virtual files that expose hardware information. Altering or deleting these files can lead to device instability.
2. Overwriting Critical Files
Some malicious modules might overwrite essential files with corrupted or non-functioning ones.
👾 𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚘 "𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚞𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚍_𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊" > /𝚜𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚖/𝚋𝚒𝚗/𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
Effect: Overwrites key files with invalid data. For example, replacing the boot animation file could cause boot failures
3. Modifying Boot or Recovery Partitions
Any commands that modify the bootloader or recovery partitions could result in a device that fails to boot properly, or in extreme cases, brick it.
👾 𝚍𝚍 𝚒𝚏=/𝚍𝚎𝚟/𝚣𝚎𝚛𝚘 𝚘𝚏=/𝚍𝚎𝚟/𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚔/𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚌𝚎/𝚋𝚢-𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎/𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚝
Effect: This command writes zeroes to the boot partition, effectively corrupting the boot image and rendering the device unable to boot.
👾 𝚍𝚍 𝚒𝚏=/𝚍𝚎𝚟/𝚣𝚎𝚛𝚘 𝚘𝚏=/𝚍𝚎𝚟/𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚔/𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚌𝚎/𝚋𝚢-𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎/𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢
Effect: Overwriting the recovery partition makes it impossible to enter recovery mode, which is critical for fixing many boot or system issues.
4. Modifying SELinux or Security Settings
Magisk modules can modify SELinux or security settings. Using incorrect or malicious modifications can lead to the system becoming insecure or unusable.
👾 𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚎 0
Effect: Disables SELinux enforcement. While this is not inherently harmful, turning off SELinux enforcement can expose the system to further vulnerabilities.
👾 𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚘 0 > /𝚜𝚢𝚜/𝚏𝚜/𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚡/𝚎𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚎
Effect: Disables SELinux permanently. This could leave the device open to exploitation by malicious apps or other vulnerabilities.
5. Disabling Key System Services
Disabling or corrupting essential services like adbd or init can break a device.
👾 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚊𝚍𝚋𝚍
Effect: Disables ADB (Android Debug Bridge). While typically harmless, this could lock a user out of debugging the device, making recovery more difficult if something goes wrong.
👾 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝
Effect: Stops the init process, which is responsible for starting up services and processes on Android. Stopping it will likely brick the device, causing a boot failure.
6. Kernel Modifications
Modifying the kernel or kernel parameters can render the device unbootable.
👾 𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚘 "𝚔𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚕_𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛" > /𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚌/𝚜𝚢𝚜/𝚔𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚕/𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎
Effect: Modifying kernel parameters can lead to instability. If done incorrectly, it could cause boot loops or prevent the device from booting.
7. Malicious Networking or Surveillance Commands
Magisk modules with networking commands can redirect traffic or install surveillance software.
DNS Hijacking: Modifying DNS settings to redirect traffic to malicious servers.
👾 𝚎𝚌𝚑𝚘 "127.0.0.1 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜.𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗.𝚌𝚘𝚖" >> /𝚎𝚝𝚌/𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚜
Effect: Redirects the user’s browser or apps to malicious websites, potentially leading to further attacks.
8. Intentional Boot Loops
Commands that can force the device into a boot loop, making recovery difficult.
👾 𝚛𝚎𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢
Effect: This command sends the device into recovery mode. If the recovery partition has been tampered with or if the device is stuck in a boot loop, this can make recovery harder or impossible.
9. Misusing Magisk's SU Binary
Misuse of the su command (root) can cause the device to be highly vulnerable or unresponsive.
Creating a Root Shell: Running commands with root privileges that alter critical files or services.
👾 𝚜𝚞 -𝚌 "𝚛𝚖 -𝚛𝚏 /𝚜𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚖/*"
Effect: This is a highly destructive command that could result in bricking the device.
10. Files or Partition Permission Modifications
Commands that modify file permissions on system-critical files could cause the system to malfunction.
👾 𝚌𝚑𝚖𝚘𝚍 000 /𝚜𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚖/𝚋𝚒𝚗/𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚏𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛
Effect: Locks down critical system files, which can break the graphical interface or crash the system.
11. Excessive Resource Consumption
Commands that cause excessive resource usage could slow down or crash the device, eventually making it unresponsive.
👾 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎; 𝚍𝚘 :; 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎
Effect: This infinite loop eats up CPU and memory resources, which could cause the system to freeze or crash.
MORAL FROM THE ARTICLE
Distributing pre-rooted ROMs isn't ideal. Instead, they could provide a separate kernelSU enabler zip file alongside the ROM. Users who want root access could then flash this zip in recovery, enabling kernelSU via the boot command line. This approach offers flexibility: users who need root can enable it, while others can keep it disabled. Furthermore, kernelSU includes a safe mode that grants only superuser access without requiring any module flashing, providing an even more secure option for those who only need basic root functionality.
Always install Magisk modules from trusted sources like the official Magisk Repo or reputable third-party developers or trusted telegram channels.
Avoid Installing Unnecessary Modules: If a module isn't essential, it’s better not to flash it, as it may have unintended consequences.
Use a Recovery Solution: Always have a reliable recovery option (TWRP, etc.) in place before making any system-level changes.
Written with ♥️ by 𝗠𝗘𝗢𝗪𝗻𝗮 💅
If you see any errors in this article, or would like to add some more information, feel free to contact me.