UBports Robot Logo UBports Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Groups
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    [HowTo] Block unwanted calls - create blacklist

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Support
    21 Posts 6 Posters 4.8k Views 7 Watching
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
      Reply
      • Reply as topic
      Log in to reply
      This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
      • Br1B Offline
        Br1
        last edited by

        I've been using this script handled by upstart for a week, I have not detected abnormal battery consumption, the call block is so fast that my Xiaomi MI A2 does not ring πŸ™‚ ... should also work on other devices.

        • Create a new contact and call it SPAM, add to it the numbers you want to block

        • Create a script
          "nano /home/phablet/.myscripts/calls_blocker.sh"
          and make it executable (chmod u+x)

        #!/bin/bash
        
        # Intercepts every incoming call addressed to SPAM contact and terminates it
        
        interface=org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties
        member=Set
        
        sudo dbus-monitor --system interface=$interface member=$member | awk '/SPAM/ {
            system("dbus-send --system --print-reply --dest=org.ofono /ril_0/voicecall01 org.ofono.VoiceCall.Hangup") 1>/dev/null
          }'
        

        my data SIM in in slot 1(ril_0) if your data SIM is in slot 2 change "/ril_0" to "/ril_1"
        (check with : nmcli c)

        • you need to run sudo dbus-monitor without password, to do this, mount system in rw mode (1) :
        sudo mount -o remount,rw /
        
        • run sudo visudo add this line and save
        phablet ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/dbus-monitor
        
        • Create an upstart session job
          "nano /home/phablet/.config/upstart/calls-blocker.conf"
        description "Calls Blocker"
        
        start on started dbus
        stop on stopped dbus
        
        exec /home/phablet/.myscripts/calls_blocker.sh
        
        • Start it
        start calls-blocker
        

        other upstart commands here

        (1) These changes can cause problems with OTA updates, you must keep track of all changes and restore the operating system before the OTA updates

        Thanks to @c4pp4 for this topic

        ^

        • Google Pixel 3a XL
        • Xiaomi MI A2
        MoemM E 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 6
        • Br1B Br1 marked this topic as a regular topic on
        • MoemM Offline
          Moem @Br1
          last edited by Moem

          Wow! If someone could make a GUI for this*, that would be gold :1st_place_medal:

          *and solve that OTA problem somehow

          Is currently using an Op5t
          Also owns an Op1, a BQ E4.5 and an Xperia X, as well as a BQ tablet and a Pinetab2. Please, someone... make it stop.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • E Offline
            Emphrath @Br1
            last edited by

            @br1 Well, next OTA is not a thing to worry about for a while ^^ I think I'll use that script for now. But yeah, GUI implementation is a must. You're the best !

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • klhK Offline
              klh
              last edited by klh

              @moem This is a hack, let it stay hacky πŸ˜„ (you can't really solve the OTA problem, but @kugiigi has a "hack manager" that would at least make it a bit safer)

              A proper solution is to do what Sailfish did (literally, using their implementation) - there might even be a GUI for it somewhere waiting for focal :winking_face:

              Security stuff

              The visudo change means that anyone can run dbus-monitor without entering a password - this is super unsafe as it would allow anyone with access to the device shell (ssh, adb, the terminal app or any unconfined app) to listen in on all dbus traffic (and afaik the keyboard sends keystrokes using dbus)

              MoemM Br1B 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • MoemM Offline
                Moem @klh
                last edited by Moem

                @klh said in [HowTo] Block unwanted calls - create blacklist:

                @moem This is a hack, let it stay hacky :grinning_face_with_big_eyes:

                Fair enough! No call blocking for me, then... for now. :smiling_face_with_halo:

                Is currently using an Op5t
                Also owns an Op1, a BQ E4.5 and an Xperia X, as well as a BQ tablet and a Pinetab2. Please, someone... make it stop.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Br1B Offline
                  Br1 @klh
                  last edited by

                  @klh

                  this is super unsafe as it would allow anyone with access to the device shell (ssh, adb, the terminal app or any unconfined app) to listen in on all dbus traffic

                  adb and terminal app require physical access to the device(if someone has your device you already have a bigger problem) ssh with private key is safe, in my opinion the risk is very low ... everyone can evaluate risks and benefits.

                  ^

                  • Google Pixel 3a XL
                  • Xiaomi MI A2
                  klhK 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • klhK Offline
                    klh @Br1
                    last edited by

                    @br1 Which is why I posted what the risks are - this is not mentioned in the original post. It's still much safer than paying for an unconfined proprietary app πŸ™‚

                    Also, since you already have to mess with the rootfs and run it as root, you might as well move the upstart job to /etc/init and not mess with the sudoers file.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Br1B Offline
                      Br1
                      last edited by

                      --------- update ---------

                      To fix security issue mentioned by @klh, I have created an init.d service.

                      • Create a new contact and call it SPAM, add to it the numbers you want to block

                      • First script
                        nano /home/phablet/.myscripts/calls_blocker.sh
                        and make it executable (chmod u+x)

                      #!/bin/bash
                      
                      # Intercepts every incoming call addressed to SPAM contact and terminates it
                      
                      interface=org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties
                      member=Set
                      
                      dbus-monitor --system interface=$interface member=$member | awk '/SPAM/ {
                          system("dbus-send --system --print-reply --dest=org.ofono /ril_0/voicecall01 org.ofono.VoiceCall.Hangup") 1>/dev/null
                        }'
                      
                      • Second script
                        nano /home/phablet/.myscripts/stop_blocker.sh
                        (chmod u+x)
                      #!/bin/bash
                      
                      # stop process gracefully
                      
                      pkill dbus-monitor
                      
                      exit
                      
                      • mount system in rw mode
                      sudo mount -o remount,rw /
                      
                      • create service
                        sudo nano /etc/init.d/blacklist
                        and set permissions (sudo chmod 755)
                      #! /bin/bash
                      
                      ### BEGIN INIT INFO
                      # Provides:          blacklist
                      # Required-Start:    dbus
                      # Required-Stop:     dbus
                      # Default-Start:     2 3 4 5
                      # Default-Stop:      0 1 6
                      # Short-Description: Blocks calls
                      # Description:       Daemon that blocks unwanted calls
                      ### END INIT INFO
                      
                      # Written by Br1 <br1@spacelinux.it>
                      
                      case "$1" in
                        start)
                          echo "Starting blacklist service ..."
                          bash -c 'cd /home/phablet/.aa_myscripts/ && ./calls_blocker.sh &'
                          ;;
                        stop)
                          echo "Stopping blacklist service ..."
                          bash -c 'cd /home/phablet/.aa_myscripts/ && ./stop_blocker.sh &'
                          sleep 2
                          ;;
                        *)
                          echo "Usage: /etc/init.d/blacklist {start|stop}"
                          exit 1
                          ;;
                      esac
                      
                      exit 0
                      
                      
                      • start or stop service with
                      sudo service blacklist start 
                      # or
                      sudo service blacklist stop
                      
                      • enable service auto start on boot up
                      sudo update-rc.d blacklist defaults
                      
                      • if you want disable service auto start on boot up
                      sudo update-rc.d -f blacklist remove
                      
                      • check if service/dbus-monitor is running
                      ps -e | grep dbus-monitor
                      

                      ^

                      • Google Pixel 3a XL
                      • Xiaomi MI A2
                      _ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                      • KenedaK Keneda referenced this topic on
                      • KenedaK Keneda referenced this topic on
                      • KenedaK Keneda referenced this topic on
                      • KenedaK Keneda referenced this topic on
                      • KenedaK Keneda referenced this topic on
                      • _ Offline
                        _Joao_ @Br1
                        last edited by

                        @br1 Thanks it works perfectly

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • _ Offline
                          _Joao_
                          last edited by

                          The problem is the battery consumption, it lasts 2 hours with the scripts activated on my nexus.

                          E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • E Offline
                            Emphrath @_Joao_
                            last edited by

                            @joao-0 u sure it's the script ? Nexus has catastrophic battery life

                            _ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • _ Offline
                              _Joao_ @Emphrath
                              last edited by

                              @emphrath yes I am sure

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • Br1B Br1 referenced this topic on
                              • Br1B Offline
                                Br1
                                last edited by

                                --------- UPDATE ---------
                                New version to install/uninstall with single command, see here for further information.

                                The old version has to be manually uninstalled before.

                                There are no new features but should be running much faster and draw less battery power (*)

                                three steps :

                                1 - download (just click) blacklist.1.01.tar.gz from here

                                2 - open file manager, go to Downloads click blacklist.1.01.tar.gz and extract archive

                                3 - open terminal and type :

                                sudo /home/phablet/Downloads/blacklist.1.01/blist-install
                                

                                type 1 to install
                                type 2 to uninstall
                                type 3 to exit

                                That's all.

                                Preview of install/uninstall script (blist-install) :

                                #!/bin/bash
                                
                                BLSERV=/etc/init.d/blacklist ;
                                
                                # Make sure only root can run this script
                                if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
                                   echo "    Must be run as root, you must prepend sudo !" 1>&2 ; exit 1
                                fi
                                
                                echo -e '\n - Install/uninstall BlackList :\n' ;
                                
                                PS3='Please enter your choice : '
                                options=("Install" "Uninstall" "Quit")
                                select opt in "${options[@]}"
                                do
                                	case $opt in
                                	"Install")
                                
                                 			echo -e '\n Installation in progress ...\n' ;
                                
                                			# change the working directory
                                			cd /home/phablet/Downloads/blacklist.1.01/ ;
                                			
                                			# create directory
                                			mkdir -p /home/phablet/.blacklist ;
                                
                                			# copy scripts to directory just created 			
                                			cp *.sh /home/phablet/.blacklist/ ;
                                			
                                			# mount root in read/write mode
                                			mount -o remount,rw / ;
                                			
                                			# copy blacklist service
                                			cp blacklist /etc/init.d/ ;
                                			
                                			# enable autostart
                                			update-rc.d blacklist defaults ;
                                			
                                			# start service
                                			service blacklist start
                                			
                                			# roll back root in read only mode
                                			mount -o remount,ro / ;
                                
                                			echo -e '\n Done, Blacklist installed !\n'
                                			
                                			exit 0
                                
                                		;;
                                
                                	"Uninstall")
                                
                                			# check status
                                			if [ ! -f "$BLSERV" ]; then
                                
                                			echo -e '\n Blacklist is not installed !\n' ;
                                
                                			else
                                
                                			# mount root in read/write mode
                                			mount -o remount,rw / ;
                                
                                			# stop blacklist service, disable autostart and remove file
                                			service blacklist stop ; update-rc.d -f blacklist remove ; rm /etc/init.d/blacklist ;
                                
                                			# roll back root in read only mode
                                			mount -o remount,ro / ;
                                
                                			# delete scripts and remove directory
                                			rm -rf /home/phablet/.blacklist/* ; rmdir /home/phablet/.blacklist ;
                                
                                			echo -e '\n Blacklist uninstalled !\n'
                                
                                			exit 0
                                
                                			fi
                                
                                		;;
                                
                                        "Quit")
                                			exit 0
                                		;;
                                			*) echo "invalid option $REPLY"
                                		;;
                                    esac
                                done
                                
                                
                                • small changes to make more efficient the script (now named sr-kill.sh) useful to stop blacklist service from command line :
                                #!/bin/sh
                                
                                # stop blacklist service
                                
                                # get pid of the script
                                scPID=$(pidof -x calls_blocker.sh)
                                
                                # kill script and child processes
                                pkill -P $scPID
                                
                                exit
                                
                                

                                (*) Now the always running script (calls_blocker.sh) is executed by dash shell which is much faster and requires fewer resources than bash shell, see benchmark , here is the preview :

                                #!/bin/sh
                                
                                # Intercepts every incoming call addressed to SPAM contact and terminates it
                                
                                interface=org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties
                                member=Set
                                
                                sudo dbus-monitor --system interface=$interface member=$member | awk '/SPAM/ {
                                   system("dbus-send --system --print-reply --dest=org.ofono /ril_0/voicecall01 org.ofono.VoiceCall.Hangup") }' >/dev/null 2>&1
                                
                                

                                ^

                                • Google Pixel 3a XL
                                • Xiaomi MI A2
                                _ 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • _ Offline
                                  _Joao_
                                  last edited by

                                  This post is deleted!
                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • _ Offline
                                    _Joao_ @Br1
                                    last edited by

                                    This post is deleted!
                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • _ Offline
                                      _Joao_ @Br1
                                      last edited by

                                      Hello the program works perfectly. The autonomy is frankly superior to the old version, the application consumes 9% per hour on my nexus 5 with a new battery. Without the appication my nexus 5 consumes 3% per hour. It's a bit fair but as you say the nexus has a limited basic autonomy.
                                      Thanks, great job.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Br1B Offline
                                        Br1
                                        last edited by

                                        OTA-25 --- You can reinstall, no changes are necessary.

                                        ^

                                        • Google Pixel 3a XL
                                        • Xiaomi MI A2
                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • Br1B Offline
                                          Br1
                                          last edited by

                                          ---- UPDATE OTA-2 Focal ----
                                          ---- Stable Channel ----

                                          Usual three steps :

                                          1 - download (just tap) blacklist-ota.2 from here

                                          2 - open file manager, go to Downloads tap blacklist-ota.2.tar.gz and tap extract archive

                                          3 - open terminal, type :

                                          sudo Downloads/blacklist-ota.2/blist-install
                                          

                                          and hit enter,

                                          type 1 + enter to install

                                          type 2 + enter to uninstall

                                          reboot not required.


                                          Blacklist only consist of three files :

                                          preview of blist-install :

                                          #!/bin/bash
                                          
                                          BLSERV=/usr/lib/systemd/system/blacklist.service ;
                                          
                                          # Make sure only root can run this script
                                          if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]; then
                                             echo "    Must be run as root, you must prepend sudo !" 1>&2 ; exit 1
                                          fi
                                          
                                          echo -e '\n  -  Install-Uninstall BlackList :\n' ;
                                          
                                          PS3=$'
                                          Please enter your choice : '
                                          options=("  Install    -       " "  Uninstall  -       " "  Quit       -       ")
                                          
                                          select opt in "${options[@]}"
                                          do
                                          	case $opt in
                                          	"  Install    -       ")
                                          
                                           			echo -e '\n Installation in progress ...\n' ;
                                          
                                          			# change the working directory
                                          			cd /home/phablet/Downloads/blacklist-ota.2/ ;
                                          
                                          			# create directory
                                          			mkdir -p /home/phablet/.blacklist ;
                                          
                                          			# copy scripts to directory just created
                                          			cp calls_blocker.sh /home/phablet/.blacklist/ ;
                                          
                                          			# mount root in read/write mode
                                          			mount -o remount,rw / ;
                                          
                                          			# copy blacklist service
                                          			cp blacklist.service /usr/lib/systemd/system/ ;
                                          
                                          			# enable and start service
                                          			systemctl enable --now blacklist > /dev/null 2>&1 ;
                                          
                                          			# roll back root in read only mode
                                          			mount -o remount,ro / ;
                                          
                                          			echo -e '\n Done, Blacklist installed !\n'
                                          
                                          			exit 0
                                          
                                          		;;
                                          
                                          	"  Uninstall  -       ")
                                          
                                          			# check status
                                          			if [ ! -f "$BLSERV" ]; then
                                          
                                          			echo -e '\n Blacklist is not installed !\n' ;
                                          
                                          			else
                                          
                                          			# mount root in read/write mode
                                          			mount -o remount,rw / ;
                                          
                                          			# stop and disable blacklist service
                                          			systemctl disable --now blacklist > /dev/null 2>&1 ;
                                          
                                          			# remove file
                                          			rm /usr/lib/systemd/system/blacklist.service ;
                                          
                                          			# roll back root in read only mode
                                          			mount -o remount,ro / ;
                                          
                                          			# delete scripts and remove directory
                                          			rm -rf /home/phablet/.blacklist/* ; rmdir /home/phablet/.blacklist ;
                                          
                                          			echo -e '\n Blacklist uninstalled !\n'
                                          
                                          			exit 0
                                          
                                          			fi
                                          
                                          		;;
                                          
                                                  "  Quit       -       ")
                                          			echo -e '\n - OS unchanged !\n'
                                          
                                          			exit 0
                                          		;;
                                          			*) echo "invalid option $REPLY"
                                          		;;
                                              esac
                                          done
                                          

                                          preview of blacklist.service :

                                          [Unit]
                                          Description=Calls Blacklist
                                          
                                          [Service]
                                          Type=simple
                                          ExecStart=/home/phablet/.blacklist/calls_blocker.sh
                                          RemainAfterExit=yes
                                          
                                          [Install]
                                          WantedBy=multi-user.target
                                          
                                          

                                          calls_blocker.sh script has not changed.

                                          The script to stop service is no longer necessary, blacklist now is a systemd service and can be managed with systemctl commands, example :

                                          systemctl stop blacklist
                                          

                                          improved legibility :
                                          screenshot20230912.png

                                          ^

                                          • Google Pixel 3a XL
                                          • Xiaomi MI A2
                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • Br1B Offline
                                            Br1
                                            last edited by Br1

                                            I can’t test ota 3 update, install at your own risk.

                                            ^

                                            • Google Pixel 3a XL
                                            • Xiaomi MI A2
                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • Br1B Offline
                                              Br1
                                              last edited by

                                              OTA 3 Stable channel --- You can reinstall, no changes are necessary.

                                              ^

                                              • Google Pixel 3a XL
                                              • Xiaomi MI A2
                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • First post
                                                Last post