How to install Backtrack 5 on your GNex

[rusky]

What is BackTrack?

Most likely, if you're asking this question then you don't really need this to begin with. BackTrack is an Ubuntu based Linux distribution that was built to aid in penetration testing of computer networks. It offers a wide array of tools that can be used to test how secure and stable certain computer environments are. It is used by hobbyists looking to strengthen their home networks, businesses, government contractors, and last but not least, what people often refer to as hackers. I in no way condone the use of this tool to cause any type of harm via illicit actions.

If you would like to find out more about this distro, please visit http://www.backtrack-linux.org/ for more information.

How to Install:

First off please be warned that this build isn't 100% stable and can have some issues,I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOUR PHONE. This is not a ROM that you can install, it is an image run via a terminal emulator + VNC viewer (if you want a GUI).

Your phone MUST be rooted for this to work! Once you have rooted your phone, download "Terminal Emulator" from the Play Store.

To check that you have rooted successfully, type in "su" and press Enter. A window should pop up asking for root privileges to be granted. Click "Allow".

Next make sure that Busybox is installed and running correctly. While still in terminal, type in "busybox ls", if the command runs displaying various colored directories and such then you're good to go. Note: by installing Titanium Backup (available at the Play Store), busybox will be installed as well.

Below is an all in one package download but with less functionality.

Once you have completed the above steps, you are now ready to download Backtrack 5. The download can be accessed via the following links (Note: you must have 7zip installed to properly extract the archives):

• Part 1 - BackTrack5ForARM-MattsLifeBytesEditionv2.7z.001
• Part 2 - BackTrack5ForARM-MattsLifeBytesEditionv2.7z.002
• Part 3 - BackTrack5ForARM-MattsLifeBytesEditionv2.7z.003

Download all 3 parts, extract using 7zip.

If the above image file gives you a "failed to execute child process" when trying to access Terminal through the GUI, please follow the instructions within the quote. This method uses the stock BT5 ARM image and is not plagued by this issue.

Download the stock BT5 ARM image from here. Options from the drop boxes should be as follows: BackTrack 5, GNOME, ARM, IMG, Direct.

The downloaded file contains everything you need to get up and running EXCEPT the right startup script. Please open up "bootbt" from within the downloaded archive and replace the code with the below:

perm=$(id|cut -b 5)
if [ "$perm" != "0" ];then echo "This script requires root! Type: su"; exit; fi
mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p5 /system
export kit=/sdcard/bt5
export bin=/system/bin
export mnt=/data/local/mnt
mkdir $mnt
export PATH=$bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/games:$PATH
export TERM=linux
export HOME=/root
if [ -b /dev/loop7 ]; then
echo "Loop device exists"
else
busybox mknod /dev/loop7 b 7 0
fi
#mount -o loop,noatime -t ext2 $kit/bt5.img $mnt
losetup /dev/block/loop7 $kit/bt5.img
mount -t ext2 /dev/block/loop7 $mnt
mount -t devpts devpts $mnt/dev/pts
mount -t proc proc $mnt/proc
mount -t sysfs sysfs $mnt/sys
busybox sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
echo "nameserver 8.8.8.8" > $mnt/etc/resolv.conf
echo "nameserver 8.8.4.4" >> $mnt/etc/resolv.conf
echo "127.0.0.1 localhost bt5" > $mnt/etc/hosts
echo "Ubuntu is configured with SSH and VNC servers that can be accessed from the IP:"
ifconfig eth0
echo " "
busybox chroot $mnt /bin/bash


echo "Shutting down BackTrack ARM for Galaxy Nexus"
umount $mnt/dev/pts
umount $mnt/proc
umount $mnt/sys
umount $mnt
losetup -d /dev/loop7

Save the file as "bt" and copy the entire directory over to your sdcard.

Copy extracted bt5 directory onto the root directory of the sdcard. (/sdcard)

Once everything is copied over, go back to the terminal emulator. Make sure you're root (type "su").

Get to the bt5 directory by entering "cd /sdcard/bt5" and pressing Enter.

Run the command "sh bt". This should take you into the text mode of BackTrack 5!

IF YOU WANT THE GUI:

Once logged into BT5 as root, by typing "startx" you will get a message saying that a vnc viewer need to be used.

Go to the Play Store and download "androidVNC". Upon opening up the program you will be asked for certain information. Please enter the following:

• Nickname: root
• Password: root (mark the box for "keep" if you'd like for androidVNC to remember the password)
• Address: 127.0.0.1
• Port: 5901
• The stock display setting allows for only 64 colors to be displayed, this can be changed if you scroll down on the connection screen to "Color Format", I have set mine to 24-bit color.

You can now press connect and your GUI will load! Congrats your Galaxy Nexus is now officially running BackTrack 5! Please note that the scanning tools do not work with any carriers, WiFi must be used.


The end result should look something like this:


How to change default resolution:

1. Start up the BT5 image.
2. Make sure vnc server is not running by typing "stopvnc".
3. In terminal emulator, type in: "vi /usr/bin/startvnc"
4. Change the resolution (800x480 default) to whatever you prefer. The Galaxy Nexus's native res is 1280x720.

Some helpful vi commands:

• Vol Up + S = Down
• Vol Up + W = Up
• Vol Up + A = Left
• Vol Up + D = Right
• Vol Up + E = Esc (exit to browsing mode)
• I = Enter's "Insert" mode which allows the file to be edited.
• :q! = exit without saving (must be typed in while in browse mode)
• :wq = exit saving changes (must be typed in while in browse mode)

All credit goes to msullivan from XDA found at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1079898 . I merely applied his guide to the Galaxy Nexus and added a few steps of my own.

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[cynkrzy]

What is "Backtrack 5" ? Maybe a bit of an introduction would help.

[rusky]

What is "Backtrack 5" ? Maybe a bit of an introduction would help.

Good suggestion, I'll write one up and update OP!

[rusky]

Added to OP:

1. What is BackTrack?
2. Alternate image download (links going up tonight)
3. How to change default vnc server resolution of 800x480 to the Galaxy Nexus's native res of 1280x720.

[Iapetos]

Worked perfectly! It's so nice to have this on my phone so I don't have to lug my laptop around.

Thank you!