topic Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke) in XPERIA archive

Encryption bug

quirkius — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 15:34:17 GMT

My phone is encrypted but after a recent power down and power up (not restart) it failed to ask for my password to decrypt the phone.

I suspect this may be because I disabled the Xperia Keyboard. I've now renabled the Xperia Keyboard and will test this when it's convenient to switch my phone off.

My big concern is How was the phone able to start up and work without decrypting the memory contents? Is this "encryption" just a facade with no real encryption behind it?!

It'd be great if someone could look into this.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 16:15:14 GMT

It was not the disabled Xperia Keyboard - I've since renabled the Input Method and powered down/up and my phone skips the prompt for password to decrypt. How does Android decrypt the phone without my password or is not really encrypted?

Screenshots of the Security settings below:

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

Hampus — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:01:14 GMT

Hi,

Have you setup any screen lock on your phone such as PIN or password via Settings > Security > Screen lock? When you encrypt the storage, it's not required to use PIN, pattern or password but keep in mind that doing so reduces protection provided by encryption.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:45:00 GMT

Yes, I'm using a 6 digit pin, have been using a pin ever since I got the phone (> 1year). I encrypted the phone roughly 6 months ago and there has never been a problem. I do have the latest Android update for the phone and it has always prompted me for the password to decrypt, the few times I've had to power down/up, even since the 5.1.1 upgrade.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:36:13 GMT

Scratch that last assertion about it working since the 5.1.1 upgrade - I've just check my Z3 Tablet Compact which is also encrypted (or supposed to be). Powered down & up, and the "lock" image (which I only noticed after encryption) is shown during startup but the prompt for pin or password is never seen.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

Hampus — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:16:06 GMT

That sounds very strange. I have encrypted a Z3 Compact here and I cannot replicate this behaviour. Are you by any chance familiar with ADB and can provide log files?

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:08:18 GMT

It's been a while since I've played with the Android SDK and ADB. I will look into it and get back to you.

Many thanks

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:03:06 GMT

Hello

I've cleared the log, restarted the phone and have collected the log file. It's just over 500kb - how would you like me to get it to you?

Thanks

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

Hampus — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 06:11:22 GMT

You could upload it to Google Drive or any other cloud storage and share the link to me via PM.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

Hampus — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:47:18 GMT

Hi again,

May I ask how you have updated your phone? When we check our logs regarding software updates for your IMEI, we cannot see that you have made any software updates with our tools. Have you used any third party programs to update the phone?

Have you tried to re-install the Xperia Keyboard? You can go to Settings > Apps > Swipe to the tab "All" > Xperia Keyboard > Uninstall updates. Go to Google Play store, search for Xperia Keyboard and update the application again.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:55:44 GMT

Thanks for getting back to me.

I get the normal OTA updates. Not sure who pushes those, you or the operator (Vodafone or O2 in the case of the tablet) here in the UK? I've not used any other programs to update the phone.

On the phone, I had previously reenabled the Xperia keyboard. Didn't actually uninstall it previously, just unchecked as an input method. I can try the Uninstall updates, update again option too.

On the tablet, I had not deselected or uninstalled the Xperia keyboard, and that is doing exactly the same thing.

The only other thing I've done recently is moved all "moveable" apps to the SD card, on both devices. And have to repeat after every Google Play update....

I also have a Z1 Compact lying around, have just powered it up and it asked for the passsword to decrypt but it's running 5.0.2, build 14.5.A.0.270. It doesn't have any apps on an SD card though.

It has also now notified me of an available update - 5.1, build 16.6.A.0.368... should I go ahead an update the Z1 to see if it prompts for the password to decrypt at startup? If it doesn't it could point to something introduced in 5.1. If it does, I could stick an SD card in it, move all apps and see if that reproduces the problem?

Don't want to distract you guys with red herrings here but that's all I can think of.

Cheers

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:01:14 GMT

Forgot to add a screen shot of the update offered on the Z1. It's exactly the same update process I follow, when offered, on the Z3 phone and tablet...

Screenshot:

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

quirkius — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:27:18 GMT

Hi, me again.

I've just followed your suggestion; Settings > Apps > Swipe to the tab "All" > Xperia Keyboard > Uninstall updates. Used Google Play store to update the application again.

No change. Showed the animated padlock screen but didn't prompt. Came up locked, asked for SIM pin, then I unlocked it with my security pin.

Re: Encryption bug (it's a joke)

Hampus — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 08:10:50 GMT

Thank you for the information.

I'm a bit confused. In previous posts you said that during startup, you're not prompt for PIN/password. But in the latest post you're asked for SIM-pin > security pin. Could you perhaps record a video to clarify?

Re: Encryption bug

Craigthorpe79 — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 23:29:06 GMT

Don't know if you finally worked out how to solve this, but I've also been having the same problem on Z1 compact since lollipop upgrade and have discovered that if I go to security and change my screen lock once you have selected your lock type you now have the option to require pin or password at start up which is basically what it was before and prompts you before unencrypting your device