[Galaxy S 4 Developer Discussion [Developers-Only]] LupineDream:
READ ON!

I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BYPASSED VERIZON/ATT OF4 SECURITY ON THE OF4 BUILD for the SM-S975L and have succeeded in downgrading the bootloader by hex editing. I reach the Samsung Galaxy S4 logo. This is quite the accomplishment for me. :)

However, I need help with unpacking the system image and reworking it to an ATT-based ROM. Knox flat out tells me "No Verizon." when I try the flash. Because you know, aboot knox and all...

Merely hex edit the version number inside your custom boot image to match the system currently installed as you flash to stock. Search for any build number strings inside mbm files and edit accordingly. My documentation is below. Screw you verizon! I just saved myself $200.

Files to keep in Odin tar with matching build number name to pass check:

Changed

S975LUDUANB1_S975LTFNANB1_S975LUDUANB1_HOME.tar.md5

to

S975LUDUAOF4_S975LTFNAOF4_S975LUDUAOF4_HOME.tar

Hex edited version numbers into:

aboot.mpm

rpm.mbm

sbl1.mbm

sbl2.mbm

tz.mbm

boot.img

Guide update: Bootloader error "No Verizon. I suppose thats the CSC?"

deleted other files from that archive.

Made new archive name of:

S975LUDUANB1_S975LTFNANB1_S975LUDUANB1_HOME.tar

Placed system files in it. Rebooted and flashed. WORKED!

It will flash in Odin 3.07. Then reboot into download mode and flash the other ones with the same, you'll be downgraded and bypass the security check since you have the downgraded bootloader.

Give me credit and donate. I just saved the Verizon users' butts. As well as the tracfone ones.

If I can figure out how to unlock the straight talk bootloader I shall do. And make a flashable Odin image.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::D

WORKING! -> SM-S975L Straight Talk on locked down firmware. http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s4/unified-development/root-sm-s975l-straight-talk-variant-of4-t3279890/post64511525

Documentation

I need a reliable way to edit mbm files I've extracted from the stock NB1 image. OF4 bootloader won't let old versions flash, so I'm going through a hex editor after removing md5 check to see what I can do as far as hex editing the version number to be newer than OF4 from the binaries. We get a fail on aboot.mbm. We are compatable, however Knox says we cannot downgrade.

Documentation on Odin flashable .tars and correct Samsung official mpm formats?

Help unpacking/repacking mpm files and root injection?

Documentation on Qualcomm Snapdragon machine code.

Update: aboot.mpm, modem, and system.img.ext4 version numbers changed, there is some kind of pattern, I see in system.img.ext: NB1 scattered throughout the code pages. I'm wondering if this is safe to change. It looks part of the code, so I'd assume no. I am seeing their routines for checksum as well there too, near there. So to the requests goes documentation on ARM assmelber, machine code. I hope this helps people like for example loki_tool. Would be nice if we had one to patch samsung images. I can make one that searches for the strings in the code in C for all the phone models, it sure would help bypass Verizon's crap. I'm so mad at them, rant rant rant onwards... Towelroot apk is going to need modified to support this build number (OF4, it is rootable since its NB1, but towelroot just checks the build number)

UPDATE 2: Flashed. Successful Nand write start. aboot is write protected even at Download mode level. Will try documented successes on Odin 3.07 for bootloader aboot flashes. Flashing it fails with a security lockup. Odin 3.09 sits there, but Odin 3.07 might work.

Update 3: Hacking the version number to current out of the Samsung Verizon images produces successful NAND write start. Developers, please note this when unlocking boot loaders. I have discovered a compromise which will allow flashing of unofficial aboot and system data. Provided the flashed bootloader does not contain checksum code.