DFReroot

Persistent root via the Dirty Frag on Android. A stable second-stage root: get temporary root once with another exploit (e.g. ghostlock), persist a system-UID app, then use Dirty Frag from it for all subsequent roots.

Announcement

https://github.com/diabl0w/DFRoot by @diabl0w is simpler and better solution. I recommend to use it.

Supported devices

Tested only on Galaxy S26 OneUI 8.5 (samsung/m1qjpnx/m1q:16/BP4A.251205.006/S942QOPU1AZDE_SJP1AZDE:user/release-keys), but might work on other versions.

Background

Exploits of ghostlock vulnerability are somewhat unstable on Android. It's frustrating to get temporary root for each reboots while scared of kernel crashes. This exploit achives comfortable second-stage root by Dirty Frag.

Pipeline

temp root (ghostlock) -> DFInstaller injects key -> soft reboot
  -> install DFReroot as android.uid.system -> Run DirtyFrag -> root (ksud)

1. DFInstaller (com.polygraphene.df.installer, normal app) edits /data/system/packages.xml as root, inserting signing key into the android.uid.system shared-user pastSigs.
2. After a soft reboot PMS re-reads packages.xml.
3. DFReroot (com.polygraphene.df.reroot, sharedUserId="android.uid.system") installs as system UID and survives reboots.
4. DFReroot hops system_server -> network_stack (which can dlopen and holds CAP_NET_ADMIN), patches vendor/libc/libc++ via Dirty Frag, loads a tiny LKM that sets SELinux permissive, and late-loads ksud.

Prerequisites

1. A vulnerability to get temporary root access
2. A kernel vulnerable to Dirty Frag

Usage

1. Obtain temporary root with another explot (e.g. ghostlock).
2. Install df_installer_(version).apk from Release, and grant root on it from root managers.
3. Inject -> Soft reboot (restarts the framework; PMS re-reads packages.xml).
4. Install DFReroot (via pm install, needs su again after the reboot).
5. Open DFReroot, press Run DirtyFrag.

df_reroot.apk is bundled in df_installer.apk. No need to download/install it manually.

D2 Error fix

Galaxy firmwares around Apr 2026 introduce Odin lockdown feature. On lock screen enabled devices, Odin mode can't be accessed anymore. DFReroot v2.1.0 and later has counterpart for this lockdown by writing flags on every boot. Tested only on Galaxy S26 (Qualcomm chip). Exynos devices or other devices may have different implementation (Not yet researched). For furthur explanation, see D2_Error.

Uninstall

1. Run Uninstall key to revert modifications to packages.xml.
2. Uninstall DFReroot and DFInstaller.

Build

# Generate app/keystore.jks 
$ ./create-keystore.sh
# Generate df_reroot.apk + df_installer.apk
$ ANDROID_NDK_HOME=(ndk path) ANDROID_HOME=(sdk path) ./build.sh

The LKM rebuild needs Docker (GKI DDK), see dirtyfrag-lkm/build.sh. Build ksud from kdp-612-3.3.0 branch of my fork of KernelSU.

Layout

• installer/ — DFInstaller app: PackagesXml/Abx (packages.xml read/write, ABX-aware), InjectMain (root app_process entry: --check/--dry-run/--dump/--uninstall/inject), SysKey/SigKey (cert via PackageManager, v1/v2/v3 agnostic), GUI.
• app/ — DFReroot app: StageHop (system_server -> network_stack), DirtyFrag (JNI bridge, package name must stay org.lsposed.lspromise), KsudStage, native exp.c + stage1.S (arm64), dirtyfrag.ko.
• dirtyfrag-lkm/ — LKM source (resolves kallsyms_lookup_name, clears selinux_state.enforcing).
• logtestexe/ — standalone logcat-socket test binary.

Caveats

• packages.xml is backed up once to packages.xml.bak-df-installer.

Acknowledgments

• Dirty Frag by @V4bel - Discovering and exploiting Dirty Frag
• LSPromise by @LSPosed - Exploiting Dirty Frag on android
• AbxOverflow by @michalbednarski - Idea for persistent system_server privilege