Mark VII firmware recovery - upload via webpage times out

[Your_Top]

Hi,

Recently my Mark VII (which was working) decided that something was wrong with the firmware and the page displayed a notice saying to do a full reset.

After 3-4 attempts I'm still hitting the same issue.  I go to the Hak5 download page, get the recovery firmware from the bottom of the page and try loading it.

All works up until it starts loading and then the connection times out after a while.

Not sure what to try next.  I've used the mk7_recovery_1.0.1.bin and copied it to upgrade-1.0.1.bin just to try it.  Both do the same thing.

Any suggestions?   Connected via USB-C to a Kali VM on a Mac.  I can ping the device and get to the web interface on the Kali VM.

Thanks.

 

 

[Your_Top]

Well, I managed to get the recovery firmware on but when it goes through the setup and downloads the latest I keep getting the following.  Any suggestions?

It says it is downloading the latest directly from Hak5.

 

FLASH ERROR

A flash error was detected on your device.

It appears that your device has been flashed improperly, and will not function correctly.

Please restore your device using the recovery process documented at
https://docs.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple/faq/factory-reset-and-recovery

Remember you MUST flash the RECOVERY/STAGER FIRMWARE first before flashing the full firmware.

[Your_Top]

Tried several different USB power HUBS, all 3.0 and still have the same issue.   Checked the hubs and they are delivering good voltage and amperage.   Did mange to almost get it through the setup but it reverted back to the flash error screen.

Does anyone know of a quick way to test the internal flash without ripping it apart?  I'm starting to think it's a hardware error.

[Your_Top]

One thing I should mention.  When using Kali in a Fusion VM, Firefox does not work well.  Install Chrome and at least it will make it to the "Update in progress" page....

[dark_pyrro]

You may have a Pineapple that has a bad flash storage device. I guess the flash issues shows when flashing 2.x firmware and 1.x based firmware works. This is because of the fact that 1.x doesn't care about (or check for) flash errors, but 2.x does.

[Your_Top]

One thing I should mention.  When using Kali in a Fusion VM, Firefox does not work well.  Install Chrome and at least it will make it to the "Update in progress" page....

Tried updating via wifi and via local upload, it uploads via both, tries to write the flash and looks successful but then comes up with the flash error on the device again....

[Your_Top]

That's what I am thinking  @dark_pyrro.  I've purchased a number of the Hak5 devices over the years and never really thought about warranty length 🙂.

I still have two of the older Pineapples but was using this one with the MK7AC adapter.  I wonder if that adapter will work on the older ones. 

[dark_pyrro]

I have never tried MT7612 chipset based adapters with my Nano. Mainly because of the fact that I more or less stopped using my Nano when I go the Mark VII. I always used an RT5370 adapter with my Nano. Just try and see if it works.

[Your_Top]

Managed to make some progress. 

Decided to try an older firmware after the recovery and used : upgrade-1.1.1-stable.2021083009481

Success so far.  Was able to configure it and now after a reboot it's still working.

I'm going to run it overnight to test and then upgrade it one firmware level at a time to see if an update was the issue.

 

[Your_Top]

So far no issues with overnight usage performing recons, gathering handshakes on my own network and a couple of reboots.

Next will be to upgrade to the latest and see if that causes the issue again.

I wonder if there is a script or something that can run a test on the flash....    Will look into that if all goes well after upgrading.

[Your_Top]

After upgrading to the latest firmware, back to the flash error screen.

Trying the recovery again to see if a prior version does not create this issue.

[J_K]

I guess I am having the same issue, it only "die" when i reboot it or power cycle it. If mine PineAPvii has bad flash storage device, what are my options? 

Thank you all for commenting in this issue. 

 

JK

[Your_Top]

@J_K Did you try loading the recovery firmware and then try the 1.1.1 stable firmware to see if that works?

So far that's the only think working for me.  All the 2.X firmware's result in the corrupted firmware page coming up.

[Your_Top]

It's confirmed.     I can load the 1.1.1 firmware and no issues.   When I load any of the 2.x firmware it comes up with the flash error.  I've tried it twice.

For me here is what I did to get back to the 1.1.1 firmware:

 

• Load the mk7_recovery_1.0.1.bin to the unit
• Load the upgrade 1.1.1-stable to the unit
• Use as normal without upgrading any firmware.

Does anyone know how to test the flash on the unit to see if it's some sort of dead cell or something?

[dark_pyrro]

I would suggest starting a conversation with Hak5 support about the matter first and see what options that are available before you start trying to do things on your own that might make it worse (does not necessarily needs to get worse, but you never know).

[Your_Top]

Tried but no answer via chat on Friday. Not sure if they were closed for veterans day but looking at the dmesg logs during the weekend it might be the flash as I saw the following:

 

[103676.228349] mmcblk0: error -145 transferring data, sector 1032, nr 1016, cmd response 0x900, card status 0xb00

[103676.248512] mmcblk0: retrying using single block read

No real way to test the flash unfortunately as smartctl and other utilities can't access the drive.  I might try forcing a fsck on reboot but won't know if that works as there's no console.

Not sure if this is the actual issue but another reason why I prefer replaceable storage.   I may try adding my own USB storage with the overlay on it to see if I can bypass the upgrade issues.

[henri67]

Hello all.
I was wondering if there is already a solution to this problem?
Because I have the same problem, old firmware works fine, new firmware a flash error.

[dark_pyrro]

The solution is to contact official support. Submit a ticket and see if it can be solved in some way. Most cases I've seen being discussed related to this seems to have been sorted out by replacing the device.

[henri67]

I've already ordered a new one, hope this one is okay.
It only has a 90 day warranty I think.
If this one also has this problem then no more hak5 stuff for me.

[dark_pyrro]

Well, I wouldn't be that hasty ordering a new one before contacting support since I've gotten the impression that the original warranty period doesn't matter when it comes to this specific issue. Pineapples with this error has been replaced anyway as I've understood it.

[henri67]

Okay have already ordered it now, but I will contact them and see if we can figure it out together.
Thanks for the tip