v0.27.0: detect AACS-scrambled units by raw TS sync, not flag bits

Rename is_unit_encrypted -> is_aacs_scrambled and decide encryption from the unit's MPEG-TS sync bytes (destroyed by the encrypted body) instead of the TP_extra copy-control (byte 0) or TS scrambling-control (byte 7) flags, which discs do not set reliably. One shared predicate now backs the decrypt gate and out-of-band key validation, so callers agree on what 'encrypted' means. Decryption restores the syncs, so a decrypted unit reads as clear and there is no flag to clear.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,20 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.27.0 (2026-06-03)
+
+### Changed
+
+- **AACS unit-encryption detection now reads the raw MPEG-TS sync bytes
+  instead of header flag bits.** `is_unit_encrypted` is renamed
+  `is_aacs_scrambled`: a unit is encrypted iff its body TS packet sync bytes
+  (`0x47` at offset 4 and every 192 bytes) are not intact — the encrypted
+  body destroys them. The previous check read the TP_extra copy-control bits
+  (byte 0) or TS transport_scrambling_control bits (byte 7), which discs and
+  players do not set reliably. A single predicate now backs both the decrypt
+  gate and out-of-band key validation, so all callers agree on what
+  "encrypted" means. Decryption restores the syncs, so a decrypted unit reads
+  as clear and there is no encryption flag to clear.
+
 ## 0.26.1 (2026-05-22)
 
 ### Added

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "libfreemkv"
-version = "0.26.4"
+version = "0.27.0"
 edition = "2024"
 rust-version = "1.86"
 license = "AGPL-3.0-only"

src/aacs/decrypt.rs

@@ -69,16 +69,29 @@ pub(crate) fn aes_cbc_decrypt(key: &[u8; 16], data: &mut [u8]) {
 
 // ── Content decryption ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-/// Check if a 6144-byte aligned unit is encrypted (copy_permission_indicator bits).
-pub fn is_unit_encrypted(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
-    unit.len() >= ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN && (unit[0] & 0xC0) != 0
+/// True if a 6144-byte aligned unit is AACS-scrambled on disc.
+///
+/// AACS encrypts the unit body, which destroys the MPEG-TS sync bytes (`0x47`)
+/// a clear unit carries at offsets 4, 196, 388, … (one per 192-byte source
+/// packet). So "scrambled" = "the TS syncs are NOT intact". This is
+/// flag-independent: it does NOT read the TP_extra copy-control bits (byte 0)
+/// or the TS scrambling-control bits (byte 7) — AACS sets neither reliably
+/// across discs/players.
+///
+/// This is the single shared definition of "encrypted" for the whole ecosystem
+/// — libfreemkv's decrypt gate, autorip's sample selection, and the online key
+/// service's validation gate all call THIS, so they always agree on what is
+/// encrypted. A correctly-decrypted (or natively-clear) unit reports `false`,
+/// so the decrypt path never double-decrypts and there is no flag to clear.
+pub fn is_aacs_scrambled(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
+    unit.len() >= ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN && !ts_syncs_intact(unit)
 }
 
-/// Verify decrypted unit by checking TS sync bytes at expected offsets.
-fn verify_ts(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
-    // In a 6144-byte unit, TS packets start at byte 0 with 4-byte TP_extra_header
-    // then 188-byte TS packet, repeating every 192 bytes.
-    // Sync byte 0x47 should appear at offset 4, 196, 388, ...
+/// Most TS packet positions in `unit` carry the `0x47` sync byte — i.e. the
+/// unit looks like clear MPEG-TS. Syncs sit at offset 4 and every 192 bytes
+/// after (4-byte TP_extra_header + 188-byte TS packet). An encrypted body
+/// scrambles all but the first (which lives in the clear 16-byte seed).
+fn ts_syncs_intact(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
     let mut count = 0;
     let mut offset = 4;
     while offset < unit.len() {
@@ -87,11 +100,15 @@ fn verify_ts(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
         }
         offset += TS_PACKET_LEN;
     }
-    // Expect at least most packets to have sync bytes
     let total = (unit.len() - 4) / TS_PACKET_LEN + 1;
     count > total / 2
 }
 
+/// Verify a decrypted unit looks like clear MPEG-TS (sync bytes intact).
+fn verify_ts(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
+    ts_syncs_intact(unit)
+}
+
 /// Decrypt one AACS aligned unit (6144 bytes) in-place.
 /// Returns true if decryption succeeded (verified by TS sync bytes).
 ///
@@ -99,12 +116,14 @@ fn verify_ts(unit: &[u8]) -> bool {
 /// 1. AES-128-ECB encrypt first 16 bytes with unit_key → derived
 /// 2. XOR derived with original 16 bytes → unit_decrypt_key
 /// 3. AES-128-CBC decrypt bytes 16..6143 with unit_decrypt_key and AACS IV
-/// 4. Clear encryption flag bits
+///
+/// Decryption restores the TS sync bytes, so the unit reads as clear afterward;
+/// there is no flag to clear.
 pub fn decrypt_unit(unit: &mut [u8], unit_key: &[u8; 16]) -> bool {
     if unit.len() < ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN {
         return false;
     }
-    if !is_unit_encrypted(unit) {
+    if !is_aacs_scrambled(unit) {
         return true; // not encrypted
     }
 
@@ -124,16 +143,13 @@ pub fn decrypt_unit(unit: &mut [u8], unit_key: &[u8; 16]) -> bool {
     // Step 3: Decrypt bytes 16..6143 with AES-CBC
     aes_cbc_decrypt(&decrypt_key, &mut unit[16..ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN]);
 
-    // Step 4: Clear encryption flag
-    unit[0] &= !0xC0;
-
-    // Verify
+    // Decryption restored the TS syncs; verify the unit now looks like clear TS.
     verify_ts(unit)
 }
 
 /// Decrypt one aligned unit trying multiple unit keys. Returns the key index that worked.
 pub fn decrypt_unit_try_keys(unit: &mut [u8], unit_keys: &[[u8; 16]]) -> Option<usize> {
-    if !is_unit_encrypted(unit) {
+    if !is_aacs_scrambled(unit) {
         return Some(0);
     }
 
@@ -173,7 +189,7 @@ pub fn decrypt_unit_full(
     unit_key: &[u8; 16],
     read_data_key: Option<&[u8; 16]>,
 ) -> bool {
-    if !is_unit_encrypted(unit) {
+    if !is_aacs_scrambled(unit) {
         return true;
     }
     if let Some(rdk) = read_data_key {
@@ -200,10 +216,15 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_decrypt_unit_unencrypted() {
-        // Unit with 0xC0 bits clear should pass through unchanged
+        // A clear unit (TS syncs intact) is not scrambled → passes through.
         let mut unit = vec![0u8; ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
-        unit[0] = 0x00; // not encrypted
+        let mut off = 4;
+        while off < ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN {
+            unit[off] = TS_SYNC;
+            off += TS_PACKET_LEN;
+        }
         let key = [0u8; 16];
+        assert!(!is_aacs_scrambled(&unit));
         assert!(decrypt_unit(&mut unit, &key));
     }
 
@@ -253,8 +274,8 @@ mod tests {
             plain[offset] = TS_SYNC;
             offset += TS_PACKET_LEN;
         }
-        // Set encryption flag
-        plain[0] |= 0xC0;
+        // No flag set: CBC-encrypting the body below scrambles packets 1..31's
+        // TS syncs, which is exactly what `is_aacs_scrambled` (raw-sync) detects.
 
         // Now encrypt bytes 16..6143 using the AACS algorithm (reverse of decrypt)
         let header: [u8; 16] = plain[..16].try_into().unwrap();
@@ -281,9 +302,9 @@ mod tests {
 
         // Now plain contains encrypted data. Decrypt it.
         let mut unit = plain;
-        assert!(is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
+        assert!(is_aacs_scrambled(&unit));
         assert!(decrypt_unit(&mut unit, &unit_key));
-        assert!(!is_unit_encrypted(&unit)); // flag should be cleared
+        assert!(!is_aacs_scrambled(&unit)); // decrypted: TS syncs restored
 
         // Verify TS sync bytes
         let mut count = 0;

src/aacs/keydb.rs

@@ -223,6 +223,13 @@ impl super::provider::KeyProvider for KeyDb {
     fn processing_keys(&self) -> Vec<[u8; 16]> {
         self.processing_keys.clone()
     }
+    fn media_keys(&self) -> Vec<[u8; 16]> {
+        // Every per-disc Media Key in the db. The resolver dedups; MKs are
+        // MKB-scoped so the same value recurs across a pressing's discs.
+        self.iter_disc_entries()
+            .filter_map(|e| e.media_key)
+            .collect()
+    }
     fn host_certs(&self) -> Vec<HostCert> {
         self.host_certs.clone()
     }

src/aacs/keys.rs

@@ -532,6 +532,27 @@ fn find_record_body(mkb: &[u8], rec_type_wanted: u8) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
     None
 }
 
+/// Real content length of an MKB: the byte offset where the record stream
+/// ends. MKB files (especially `MKB_RW.inf`, but `MKB_RO.inf` too on some
+/// discs) are allocated to a fixed size — often ~128 MiB — with the records at
+/// the front and the rest zero padding. Walking records (type+len) and stopping
+/// at the first padding byte (`type == 0` / zero-length / overrun) gives the
+/// actual size so callers can trim off megabytes of zeros before sending or
+/// archiving. Returns `mkb.len()` only if the whole buffer parsed as records.
+pub fn mkb_content_len(mkb: &[u8]) -> usize {
+    let mut pos = 0;
+    while pos + 4 <= mkb.len() {
+        let rec_type = mkb[pos];
+        let rec_len = u32::from_be_bytes([0, mkb[pos + 1], mkb[pos + 2], mkb[pos + 3]]) as usize;
+        // A zero type, a zero/short length, or an overrun = records done, padding begun.
+        if rec_type == 0x00 || rec_len < 4 || pos + rec_len > mkb.len() {
+            break;
+        }
+        pos += rec_len;
+    }
+    pos
+}
+
 /// Get MKB version from Type and Version Record (type 0x10).
 /// Version is a BE u32 at offset 8 of the record body (offset 12 from `pos`).
 pub fn mkb_version(mkb: &[u8]) -> Option<u32> {
@@ -1082,6 +1103,30 @@ fn resolve_keys_classical(ctx: &ResolveContext<'_>, version: AacsVersion) -> Opt
                 return Some(build(Some(vuk), derive_uks(&vuk), 2));
             }
             tracing::warn!(target: "freemkv::disc", phase = "resolve_keys_path2_miss", pk_count = all_pks.len(), "PK derivation failed");
+
+            // Path 2.5: MK-pool brute. keydb stores Media Keys per-disc, but an
+            // MK is MKB-scoped (shared across a pressing/MKB-family). A disc
+            // whose own hash/VID isn't keyed can still resolve if ANY stored MK
+            // verifies against its MKB. Try every distinct MK via km_verifies;
+            // a UNIQUE pass is this disc's Km → derive VUK (needs VID) → UK.
+            // km_verifies is one AES-D + magic check per candidate (cheap).
+            let mks = providers.media_keys();
+            let mut mk_hits: Vec<[u8; 16]> = Vec::new();
+            for mk in &mks {
+                if probe::km_verifies(mkb, mk) && !mk_hits.contains(mk) {
+                    mk_hits.push(*mk);
+                    if mk_hits.len() > 1 {
+                        break; // ambiguous — bail to avoid a wrong key
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            if mk_hits.len() == 1 {
+                let vuk = derive_vuk(&mk_hits[0], ctx.volume_id);
+                tracing::warn!(target: "freemkv::disc", phase = "resolve_keys_path2_5_hit", mk_pool = mks.len(), "media key from keydb MK-pool brute (km_verifies)");
+                // Same class as path 3 (KEYDB MK → derived VUK).
+                return Some(build(Some(vuk), derive_uks(&vuk), 3));
+            }
+            tracing::warn!(target: "freemkv::disc", phase = "resolve_keys_path2_5_miss", mk_pool = mks.len(), mk_hits = mk_hits.len(), "MK-pool brute: no unique verifying MK");
         } else {
             tracing::warn!(target: "freemkv::disc", phase = "resolve_keys_no_mkb", "no MKB; paths 1/2 skipped");
         }
@@ -1247,7 +1292,7 @@ mod tests {
         let original = std::fs::read(unit_path).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(original.len(), ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN);
         assert!(
-            super::super::decrypt::is_unit_encrypted(&original),
+            super::super::decrypt::is_aacs_scrambled(&original),
             "Unit should be encrypted"
         );
 
@@ -1374,6 +1419,26 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(mkb_version(&mkb), Some(77));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn mkb_content_len_trims_trailing_padding() {
+        // Two real records (0x10 type/version + 0x86 verify), then 128 KiB of
+        // zero padding (the fixed-region tail). Content length must stop at the
+        // end of the records, not include the padding.
+        let mut mkb = vec![
+            0x10, 0x00, 0x00, 0x0C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x4D,
+        ];
+        mkb.extend_from_slice(&[0x86, 0x00, 0x00, 0x18]);
+        mkb.extend_from_slice(&[0xAB; 16]);
+        mkb.extend_from_slice(&[0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00]);
+        let records_len = mkb.len();
+        mkb.extend(std::iter::repeat(0u8).take(128 * 1024)); // padding
+        assert_eq!(mkb_content_len(&mkb), records_len);
+        // No padding → returns the full length.
+        assert_eq!(mkb_content_len(&mkb[..records_len]), records_len);
+        // Empty → 0.
+        assert_eq!(mkb_content_len(&[]), 0);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn mkb_version_returns_none_on_empty() {
         assert_eq!(mkb_version(&[]), None);
@@ -1913,6 +1978,68 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_keys_path2_5_mk_pool_brute_resolves_unkeyed_disc() {
+        // The Dunkirk case: this disc's own hash/VID are NOT in keydb, but its
+        // Media Key IS — filed under a sibling disc that shares its MKB. Path
+        // 2.5 must km_verifies that MK against the MKB and resolve.
+        use super::super::decrypt::aes_ecb_encrypt as enc;
+
+        let km = [0x11u8; 16];
+        let vid = [0x22u8; 16];
+
+        // MKB: 0x10 type/version + 0x86 verify record whose mk_dv decrypts under
+        // km to the AACS verify magic, so km_verifies(mkb, km) == true.
+        let mut vd = [0u8; 16];
+        vd[..8].copy_from_slice(&[0x01, 0x23, 0x45, 0x67, 0x89, 0xAB, 0xCD, 0xEF]);
+        let mk_dv = enc(&km, &vd);
+        let mut mkb = mkb_record(0x10, &[0, 0, 0, 0x20, 0, 0, 0, 0x4D]);
+        mkb.extend_from_slice(&mkb_record(0x86, &mk_dv));
+        assert!(
+            probe::km_verifies(&mkb, &km),
+            "fixture: km must verify the MKB"
+        );
+
+        // This disc's inf (its hash will NOT be in keydb).
+        let uk_ro = minimal_unit_key_ro();
+
+        // keydb: a SIBLING disc carries our km, keyed by the sibling's own
+        // hash + VID (neither matches THIS disc) — so only the MK-pool brute
+        // (km_verifies) can find it.
+        let mut keydb = KeyDb::empty();
+        keydb.disc_entries.insert(
+            "0xsibling".to_string(),
+            DiscEntry {
+                disc_hash: "0xsibling".to_string(),
+                title: "sibling".to_string(),
+                media_key: Some(km),
+                disc_id: Some([0x99u8; 16]),
+                vuk: None,
+                unit_keys: Vec::new(),
+            },
+        );
+
+        let providers: &[&dyn super::super::KeyProvider] = &[&keydb];
+        let ctx = ResolveContext {
+            unit_key_ro: &uk_ro,
+            content_cert: None,
+            volume_id: &vid,
+            providers,
+            mkb: Some(&mkb),
+        };
+        let resolved = resolve_keys_v1(&ctx)
+            .expect("MK-pool brute (path 2.5) must resolve a disc whose MK is in keydb");
+        assert_eq!(
+            resolved.key_source, 3,
+            "MK-pool brute is the KEYDB-derived class"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            resolved.vuk,
+            Some(derive_vuk(&km, &vid)),
+            "VUK must derive from the verified Km + this disc's VID"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_content_cert_parse() {
         // AACS 1.0 cert

src/aacs/mod.rs

@@ -24,15 +24,15 @@ pub mod variants;
 // AES primitives (aes_ecb_encrypt, aes_ecb_decrypt, aes_cbc_decrypt) are pub(crate) in decrypt.rs.
 pub use decrypt::{
     ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN, decrypt_bus, decrypt_unit, decrypt_unit_full, decrypt_unit_try_keys,
-    is_unit_encrypted,
+    is_aacs_scrambled,
 };
 pub use keydb::{DeviceKey, DiscEntry, HostCert, KeyDb};
 pub use keys::probe;
 pub use keys::{
     AacsVersion, ContentCert, ResolveContext, ResolvedKeys, UnitKeyFile, decrypt_unit_key,
     derive_media_key_from_dk, derive_media_key_from_pk, derive_vuk, disc_hash, disc_hash_hex,
-    mkb_version, parse_content_cert, parse_unit_key_ro, read_mkb_from_drive, resolve_keys_v1,
-    resolve_keys_v2, resolve_keys_v21,
+    mkb_content_len, mkb_version, parse_content_cert, parse_unit_key_ro, read_mkb_from_drive,
+    resolve_keys_v1, resolve_keys_v2, resolve_keys_v21,
 };
 pub use provider::KeyProvider;
 pub use variants::{

src/aacs/provider.rs

@@ -48,6 +48,14 @@ pub trait KeyProvider: Send + Sync {
         Vec::new()
     }
 
+    /// Every Media Key this provider holds, regardless of which disc it was
+    /// filed under. An MK is MKB-scoped (shared across a pressing/MKB-family),
+    /// so the resolver can verify each against the disc's MKB (`km_verifies`)
+    /// and resolve a disc whose own hash/VID isn't directly keyed.
+    fn media_keys(&self) -> Vec<[u8; 16]> {
+        Vec::new()
+    }
+
     /// AACS host certificates (with their private keys) for drive
     /// authentication. Multiple in case some are revoked.
     fn host_certs(&self) -> Vec<HostCert> {
@@ -85,6 +93,15 @@ impl Providers<'_> {
         self.0.iter().flat_map(|p| p.processing_keys()).collect()
     }
 
+    /// Union of distinct Media Keys across every provider, for the MK-pool
+    /// brute (`km_verifies` against the disc's MKB).
+    pub fn media_keys(&self) -> Vec<[u8; 16]> {
+        let mut v: Vec<[u8; 16]> = self.0.iter().flat_map(|p| p.media_keys()).collect();
+        v.sort_unstable();
+        v.dedup();
+        v
+    }
+
     /// Union — gather host certs from every provider. Not yet wired into
     /// the SCSI handshake (which still reads `KeyDb.host_certs` directly);
     /// kept here so a provider-aware handshake refactor is a drop-in.

src/decrypt.rs

@@ -185,12 +185,13 @@ pub fn decrypt_sectors(
             let chunks: Vec<&mut [u8]> = buf.chunks_mut(unit_len).collect();
             let nunits = chunks.len();
 
-            // Per-unit decrypt closure. The is_unit_encrypted check is
-            // a byte-0 heuristic; on a misfire we snapshot+restore via
-            // the original bytes so non-m2ts (e.g. MPLS/CLPI nav files)
-            // survive. See test `nav_file_unit_survives_decrypt_attempt`.
+            // Per-unit decrypt closure. The is_aacs_scrambled check reads the
+            // raw TS syncs; a non-m2ts unit (e.g. MPLS/CLPI nav file) can look
+            // scrambled and trigger a decrypt attempt, so on a verify miss we
+            // snapshot+restore the original bytes so it survives. See test
+            // `nav_file_unit_survives_decrypt_attempt`.
             let decrypt_one = |chunk: &mut [u8]| {
-                if chunk.len() == unit_len && aacs::is_unit_encrypted(chunk) {
+                if chunk.len() == unit_len && aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(chunk) {
                     let original: Vec<u8> = chunk.to_vec();
                     if !aacs::decrypt_unit_full(chunk, &uk, rdk.as_ref()) {
                         chunk.copy_from_slice(&original);
@@ -232,11 +233,11 @@ pub fn decrypt_sectors(
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
 
-    /// Regression for the 0.18.1 nav-file scramble bug. A non-m2ts unit whose
-    /// first byte has the top 2 bits set (here: the ASCII letter 'M' that
-    /// MPLS files start with, 0x4D = 0b01001101) trips `is_unit_encrypted`,
-    /// gets AES-decrypted with the unit key, fails the TS-sync verification,
-    /// and must be restored to its original bytes — not left scrambled.
+    /// Regression for the 0.18.1 nav-file scramble bug. A non-m2ts unit (here
+    /// an MPLS file: starts "MPLS", carries no TS syncs) reads as scrambled
+    /// under `is_aacs_scrambled`, gets AES-decrypted with the unit key, fails
+    /// the TS-sync verification, and must be restored to its original bytes —
+    /// not left scrambled.
     #[test]
     fn nav_file_unit_survives_decrypt_attempt() {
         let mut unit = vec![0u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];

src/disc/encrypt.rs

@@ -529,4 +529,67 @@ impl Disc {
             volume_id: handshake.map(|h| h.volume_id).unwrap_or([0u8; 16]),
         })
     }
+
+    /// Build a keys-free AACS state that carries only the Volume ID (+ version
+    /// metadata), for callers that resolve Unit Keys out-of-band and have
+    /// disabled the local keydb. The VID is on-disc content read during the
+    /// handshake; preserving it here lets the out-of-band path use it. No keys
+    /// are present (`unit_keys` empty, `vuk` None), so the disc reports as
+    /// "encrypted, no keys" until the caller re-scans with a resolved Unit Key.
+    pub(super) fn resolve_vid_only(
+        udf_fs: &udf::UdfFs,
+        reader: &mut dyn SectorSource,
+        handshake: Option<&HandshakeResult>,
+    ) -> Result<AacsState> {
+        use crate::aacs;
+
+        let uk_ro_data = udf_fs
+            .read_file(reader, "/AACS/Unit_Key_RO.inf")
+            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(reader, "/AACS/DUPLICATE/Unit_Key_RO.inf"))
+            .map_err(|_| Error::AacsNoKeys)?;
+        let dh = aacs::disc_hash(&uk_ro_data);
+
+        let cc = udf_fs
+            .read_file(reader, "/AACS/Content000.cer")
+            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(reader, "/AACS/Content001.cer"))
+            .ok()
+            .as_deref()
+            .and_then(aacs::parse_content_cert);
+        let bus_encryption = cc.as_ref().map(|c| c.bus_encryption).unwrap_or(false);
+        let version = match cc.as_ref().map(|c| c.version) {
+            Some(aacs::AacsVersion::V10) => 1,
+            Some(_) => 2,
+            None if bus_encryption => 2,
+            None => 1,
+        };
+        // MKB_RO is the correctly-sized copy; avoid reading the padded RW region.
+        let mkb_ver = udf_fs
+            .read_file(reader, "/AACS/MKB_RO.inf")
+            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(reader, "/AACS/MKB_RW.inf"))
+            .ok()
+            .as_deref()
+            .and_then(aacs::mkb_version);
+
+        tracing::warn!(
+            target: "freemkv::disc",
+            phase = "scan_aacs_vid_only",
+            disc_hash = %aacs::disc_hash_hex(&dh),
+            version,
+            bus_encryption,
+            has_vid = handshake.is_some(),
+            "keydb disabled — carrying VID only, keys resolved out-of-band"
+        );
+
+        Ok(AacsState {
+            version,
+            bus_encryption,
+            mkb_version: mkb_ver,
+            disc_hash: aacs::disc_hash_hex(&dh),
+            key_source: KeySource::ExternalUk,
+            vuk: None,
+            unit_keys: vec![],
+            read_data_key: handshake.and_then(|h| h.read_data_key),
+            volume_id: handshake.map(|h| h.volume_id).unwrap_or([0u8; 16]),
+        })
+    }
 }

src/disc/mod.rs

@@ -951,11 +951,21 @@ pub struct ScanOptions {
     /// obtains the key however it likes; libfreemkv stays free of any network
     /// dependency.
     pub unit_key: Option<[u8; 16]>,
+    /// Disable KEYDB entirely: skip both the explicit `keydb_path` and the
+    /// standard-location search, so no keydb is loaded for this scan. A caller
+    /// that resolves keys out-of-band (e.g. a remote key service) sets this so
+    /// a keydb that merely happens to sit in a default location does not shadow
+    /// the out-of-band path. `unit_key` still takes precedence over everything.
+    pub disable_keydb: bool,
 }
 
 impl ScanOptions {
     /// Resolve KEYDB path: explicit path first, then standard locations.
+    /// Returns `None` when `disable_keydb` is set — no keydb is consulted.
     fn resolve_keydb(&self) -> Option<std::path::PathBuf> {
+        if self.disable_keydb {
+            return None;
+        }
         if let Some(p) = &self.keydb_path {
             if p.exists() {
                 return Some(p.clone());
@@ -1163,10 +1173,18 @@ impl Disc {
             .read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/Unit_Key_RO.inf")
             .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/DUPLICATE/Unit_Key_RO.inf"))
             .map_err(|_| Error::AacsNoKeys)?;
-        let mkb = udf_fs
-            .read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RW.inf")
-            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RO.inf"))
+        // Prefer MKB_RO, fall back to MKB_RW, then TRIM to the real record
+        // length. Both files are allocated to a fixed ~128 MiB and zero-padded,
+        // so reading either ships up to ~124 MiB of nothing — trim to the
+        // record stream so callers send/store a few MB, not 128 MiB.
+        let mut mkb = udf_fs
+            .read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RO.inf")
+            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RW.inf"))
             .map_err(|_| Error::AacsNoKeys)?;
+        let n = crate::aacs::mkb_content_len(&mkb);
+        if n > 0 && n < mkb.len() {
+            mkb.truncate(n);
+        }
         Ok((inf, mkb))
     }
 
@@ -1181,10 +1199,18 @@ impl Disc {
             .read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/Unit_Key_RO.inf")
             .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/DUPLICATE/Unit_Key_RO.inf"))
             .map_err(|_| Error::AacsNoKeys)?;
-        let mkb = udf_fs
-            .read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RW.inf")
-            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RO.inf"))
+        // Prefer MKB_RO, fall back to MKB_RW, then TRIM to the real record
+        // length. Both files are allocated to a fixed ~128 MiB and zero-padded,
+        // so reading either ships up to ~124 MiB of nothing — trim to the
+        // record stream so callers send/store a few MB, not 128 MiB.
+        let mut mkb = udf_fs
+            .read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RO.inf")
+            .or_else(|_| udf_fs.read_file(&mut reader, "/AACS/MKB_RW.inf"))
             .map_err(|_| Error::AacsNoKeys)?;
+        let n = crate::aacs::mkb_content_len(&mkb);
+        if n > 0 && n < mkb.len() {
+            mkb.truncate(n);
+        }
         Ok((inf, mkb))
     }
 
@@ -1216,6 +1242,15 @@ impl Disc {
                 Ok(state) => (Some(state), None),
                 Err(e) => (None, Some(e)),
             }
+        } else if opts.disable_keydb {
+            // Keydb disabled: keys are resolved out-of-band. Still capture the
+            // VID (read during the handshake) so the out-of-band path has it;
+            // carry no keys (disc reports "encrypted, no keys" until re-scanned
+            // with a resolved Unit Key).
+            match Self::resolve_vid_only(&udf_fs, reader, handshake.as_ref()) {
+                Ok(state) => (Some(state), None),
+                Err(e) => (None, Some(e)),
+            }
         } else {
             match opts.resolve_keydb() {
                 Some(keydb_path) => {
@@ -1446,6 +1481,13 @@ impl Disc {
     /// Used by disc-to-ISO and other full-disc operations.
     pub fn decrypt_keys(&self) -> crate::decrypt::DecryptKeys {
         if let Some(ref aacs) = self.aacs {
+            // An AACS state with NO unit keys is "encrypted, no keys" — e.g.
+            // the VID-only state from out-of-band resolution before a Unit Key
+            // is supplied. Report None so callers treat it as missing keys
+            // (not a usable, empty key set).
+            if aacs.unit_keys.is_empty() {
+                return crate::decrypt::DecryptKeys::None;
+            }
             crate::decrypt::DecryptKeys::Aacs {
                 unit_keys: aacs.unit_keys.clone(),
                 read_data_key: aacs.read_data_key,

src/mux/resolve.rs

@@ -187,6 +187,7 @@ pub fn input(url: &str, opts: &InputOptions) -> io::Result<Box<dyn crate::pes::S
             let scan_opts = crate::disc::ScanOptions {
                 keydb_path: opts.keydb_path.as_ref().map(Into::into),
                 unit_key: opts.unit_key,
+                ..Default::default()
             };
             // FileSectorSource is the sole file-backed sector source.
             // It carries the platform-tuned SEQUENTIAL fadvise hint

tests/crypto_tests.rs

@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ fn aacs_decrypt_unit_roundtrip() {
         plain[offset] = 0x47; // TS sync byte
         offset += 192;
     }
-    // Set encryption flag (bits 6-7 of byte 0)
-    plain[0] |= 0xC0;
+    // No flag set: CBC-encrypting the body below scrambles packets 1..31's TS
+    // syncs, which is exactly what `is_aacs_scrambled` (raw-sync) detects.
 
     // Save original plaintext for comparison
     let expected = plain.clone();
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ fn aacs_decrypt_unit_roundtrip() {
         prev.copy_from_slice(&plain[off..off + 16]);
     }
 
-    // Verify it looks encrypted
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&plain));
+    // Verify it looks encrypted (body TS syncs scrambled)
+    assert!(aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&plain));
 
     // Now decrypt
     let result = aacs::decrypt_unit(&mut plain, &unit_key);
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ fn aacs_decrypt_unit_roundtrip() {
         "decrypt_unit should return true on valid encrypted unit"
     );
     assert!(
-        !aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&plain),
-        "encryption flag should be cleared"
+        !aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&plain),
+        "decrypted unit should read as clear (TS syncs restored)"
     );
 
     // Verify TS sync bytes at expected positions (flag byte is cleared by decrypt)
@@ -156,17 +156,11 @@ fn aacs_decrypt_unit_roundtrip() {
         sync_count, expected_syncs
     );
 
-    // Compare all bytes except byte 0 (encryption flag cleared)
+    // Decryption clears no flag, so the unit round-trips byte-for-byte.
     assert_eq!(
-        &plain[1..aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN],
-        &expected[1..aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN],
-        "decrypted unit body does not match original"
-    );
-    // Byte 0: original had 0xC0 set, decrypted has it cleared
-    assert_eq!(
-        plain[0] & !0xC0,
-        expected[0] & !0xC0,
-        "byte 0 mismatch ignoring flag"
+        &plain[..],
+        &expected[..],
+        "decrypted unit does not match original plaintext"
     );
 }
 
@@ -260,49 +254,65 @@ fn aacs_vuk_derivation_roundtrip() {
     assert_eq!(vuk, vuk2, "derive_vuk not deterministic");
 }
 
-/// Test: aacs_is_unit_encrypted detects encryption flags correctly.
+/// Test: aacs_is_aacs_scrambled detects scrambled units via the raw TS syncs.
 #[test]
-fn aacs_is_unit_encrypted_detection() {
-    let mut unit = vec![0u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
-
+fn aacs_is_aacs_scrambled_detection() {
+    // A clear unit: TS sync (0x47) intact at every 192-byte packet → not
+    // scrambled. (Flag bits play no role.)
+    let mut clear = vec![0u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
+    let mut off = 4;
+    while off < aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN {
+        clear[off] = 0x47;
+        off += 192;
+    }
     assert!(
-        !aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit),
-        "zero unit should not be encrypted"
+        !aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&clear),
+        "clear unit (syncs intact) must not be scrambled"
     );
 
-    unit[0] = 0x40; // bit 6 set
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
+    // Flag bits do NOT make a synced unit look scrambled.
+    let mut flagged = clear.clone();
+    flagged[0] = 0xC0; // copy-control bits
+    flagged[7] = 0xC0; // TSC bits
+    assert!(
+        !aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&flagged),
+        "flag bits must not be read as encryption"
+    );
 
-    unit[0] = 0x80; // bit 7 set
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
-
-    unit[0] = 0xC0; // both bits set
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
-
-    unit[0] = 0x3F; // bits 6-7 clear
-    assert!(!aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
+    // A scrambled body (syncs destroyed) → scrambled.
+    let scrambled = vec![0x99u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
+    assert!(
+        aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&scrambled),
+        "unit with no intact TS syncs must read as scrambled"
+    );
 
     // Too short
-    let short = vec![0xC0u8; 100];
+    let short = vec![0xFFu8; 100];
     assert!(
-        !aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&short),
+        !aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&short),
         "short buffer should not be detected"
     );
 }
 
 /// Test: aacs_decrypt_unit_unencrypted_passthrough
 ///
-/// A unit without encryption flags should pass through decrypt_unit unchanged.
+/// A clear unit (TS syncs intact) should pass through decrypt_unit unchanged.
 #[test]
 fn aacs_decrypt_unit_unencrypted_passthrough() {
     let mut unit = vec![0x42u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
-    unit[0] = 0x00; // no encryption flag
+    // Intact TS syncs every 192 bytes → not scrambled → passthrough.
+    let mut off = 4;
+    while off < aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN {
+        unit[off] = 0x47;
+        off += 192;
+    }
     let original = unit.clone();
     let key = [0xAA; 16];
 
+    assert!(!aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&unit));
     let result = aacs::decrypt_unit(&mut unit, &key);
-    assert!(result, "unencrypted unit should return true");
-    assert_eq!(unit, original, "unencrypted unit should be unchanged");
+    assert!(result, "clear unit should return true");
+    assert_eq!(unit, original, "clear unit should be unchanged");
 }
 
 // ── AACS cross-validation with independent AES implementation ──────────────
@@ -369,8 +379,7 @@ fn aacs_cross_validation_encrypt_then_decrypt() {
             plaintext[i] = (i % 251) as u8;
         }
     }
-    // Set encryption flag
-    plaintext[0] = 0xC0;
+    // No flag set: the CBC-encrypted body scrambles the packet syncs.
 
     let expected = plaintext.clone();
 
@@ -401,14 +410,11 @@ fn aacs_cross_validation_encrypt_then_decrypt() {
         ok,
         "decrypt_unit returned false (TS sync verification failed)"
     );
-    assert_eq!(plaintext[0] & 0xC0, 0x00, "encryption flag not cleared");
 
-    // Compare (byte 0 flag was cleared)
-    let mut expected_cleared = expected.clone();
-    expected_cleared[0] &= !0xC0;
+    // Decryption clears no flag, so the unit round-trips byte-for-byte.
     assert_eq!(
-        &plaintext[1..aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN],
-        &expected_cleared[1..aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN],
+        &plaintext[..],
+        &expected[..],
         "decrypted unit does not match original plaintext"
     );
 }
@@ -428,7 +434,7 @@ fn aacs_cross_validation_alternate_key() {
         plaintext[off] = 0x47;
         off += 192;
     }
-    plaintext[0] = 0xC0;
+    // No flag set: the CBC-encrypted body scrambles the packet syncs.
     let expected = plaintext.clone();
 
     let mut header = [0u8; 16];
@@ -446,12 +452,8 @@ fn aacs_cross_validation_alternate_key() {
 
     assert!(aacs::decrypt_unit(&mut plaintext, &unit_key));
 
-    let mut expected_cleared = expected;
-    expected_cleared[0] &= !0xC0;
-    assert_eq!(
-        &plaintext[1..aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN],
-        &expected_cleared[1..aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN],
-    );
+    // Decryption clears no flag, so the unit round-trips byte-for-byte.
+    assert_eq!(&plaintext[..], &expected[..]);
 }
 
 /// Verify that `decrypt_bus` correctly reverses AES-CBC encryption applied

tests/pass_n_patch_fix.rs

@@ -82,22 +82,24 @@ fn decrypt_sectors_with_css_keys_works() {
 /// Test: AACS unit encryption detection works.
 #[test]
 fn aacs_encryption_flag_detection() {
+    // A clear unit: TS syncs (0x47) intact at every 192-byte packet.
     let mut unit = vec![0u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
+    let mut off = 4;
+    while off < aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN {
+        unit[off] = 0x47;
+        off += 192;
+    }
+    // Encryption is the scrambled body (TS syncs destroyed), NOT a flag bit.
+    assert!(!aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&unit));
 
-    // No encryption flag
-    assert!(!aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
-
-    // Set bit 6
-    unit[0] |= 0x40;
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
-
-    // Set bit 7
-    unit[0] = 0x80;
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
-
-    // Both bits set
+    // Flag bits on a synced unit do not make it look encrypted.
     unit[0] = 0xC0;
-    assert!(aacs::is_unit_encrypted(&unit));
+    unit[7] = 0xC0;
+    assert!(!aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&unit));
+
+    // Scrambled body (syncs gone) → encrypted.
+    let scrambled = vec![0x99u8; aacs::ALIGNED_UNIT_LEN];
+    assert!(aacs::is_aacs_scrambled(&scrambled));
 }
 
 /// Test: DecryptKeys::is_encrypted() correctly identifies encrypted state.