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Anti-rollback/ARB for device firmware: Difference between revisions

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==Why it is a problem==
==Why it is a problem==


#Denys users from being able to willingly downgrade to previous firmware
#Denies users from being able to willingly downgrade to previous firmware
#If the new firmware creates problems, the ability to fix the problem through rollback is unavailable
#If the new firmware creates problems, the ability to fix the problem through rollback is unavailable


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*[[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback]]
*[[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback]]
*[[DJI]]<ref>https://mavicpilots.com/threads/not-be-able-to-degrade-firmfare-of-dji-mini2-from-01-06-0200.134806/#post-1518967</ref>
*[[Samsung]]{{Citation needed}}


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 04:41, 12 May 2026

Anti-rollback, or ARB, for device firmware is a feature of some devices that prevents the device from booting if it detects that the device has been downgraded to an older, unapproved software build. This prevents attackers from loading older software on a device that’s susceptible to an exploit. However, some people prefer to use an older version of the firmware, and many support the ability to backtrack or downgrade to a previous build or edition. However, many companies have created devices that prevent rolling back to the previous firmware.

How it works

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In the case of Xiaomi Verified Boot has a rollback index which is compared with the rollback index of the ROM that you are about to flash.[1] If the current rollback index on your device is less than the rollback index in the ROM to be flashed, then the ROM will be flashed without any issues and the current rollback index will be increased to match the new rollback index [of the just flashed ROM].[1] If the current rollback index on your device is equal to the rollback index in the ROM to be flashed, then the ROM will be flashed and there will be no change in the rollback index.[1] If the current rollback index is greater than the rollback index in the ROM to be flashed, then the ROM will be rejected. But this will only happen if you’re flashing via fastboot or Mi Flash.[1]

Why it is a problem

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  1. Denies users from being able to willingly downgrade to previous firmware
  2. If the new firmware creates problems, the ability to fix the problem through rollback is unavailable

Examples

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See also

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheist! (2024-03-20). "Anti-rollback (Google and Xiaomi): what it means and what is important". XDA Forums. Archived from the original on 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  2. https://mavicpilots.com/threads/not-be-able-to-degrade-firmfare-of-dji-mini2-from-01-06-0200.134806/#post-1518967