The “Engineering Mode” app can be exploited for rooting OnePlus devices and the app is pre-installed on the OnePlus 3, 3T and OnePlus 5 smartphones.
A developer has discovered that OnePlus phones can be rooted without even unlocking the bootloader. The developer claims that this can be done via an app called ‘Engineering Mode’, which is meant for factory testing devices and ensuring that they are working properly. The app is reportedly pre-installed on the OnePlus 3, 3T and the Oneplus 5.
The developer posted a tweet stating that launching 'DiagEnabled', an activity associated with the Engineering Mode app, with the correct password grants root privileges to users. The password was later obtained by the user with the help of some cybersecurity experts.
So yes, if you send the command: adb shell am start -n https://t.co/yYfeX14Ioj.engineeringmode/.qualcomm.DiagEnabled –es "code" "password" with the correct code you can become root!
— Elliot Alderson (@fs0c131y) November 13, 2017
According to the developer, the DiagEnabled activity works as a backdoor for root access and is made by Qualcomm and customised by OnePlus for its devices. OnePlus Co-founder Carl Pei responded to the Thanks for the heads up, we are looking into it. saying that the company has taken note of the issue and is looking into it.
Last month, a software engineer discovered that OnePlus was silently collecting private user data like IMEI numbers, MAC addresses and even phone's serial number. The company said that the data is collected to improve its services, but users can opt out from it by not joining the user experience program.
OnePlus is all set to launch its latest smartphone, the OnePlus 5T on November 16. The smartphone will be unveiled at a global event in New York and will go on sale from November 21. The company will livestream the event at select PVR Theaters across India and is selling tickets for the same at Rs 99.
The smartphone is expected to sport thinner bezels with a taller Univisium display. It is expected to feature a 6-inch Full HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio. You can read more about the leaked specifications of the smartphone here. Ahead of its launch, a 5-minute unboxing video of the OnePlus 5T has surfaced online and shows the upcoming device next to the OnePlus 5.
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