N7100 Imei Null -

Here is the most interesting and relevant paper that explains the underlying mechanics of why the N7100 suffers this, coupled with a classic forensic analysis of the aftermath. Why this paper is interesting for the "N7100 Null IMEI" case: The N7100 was notorious because Samsung stored critical radio calibration data (including the IMEI) in a proprietary stl or efs partition (often mmcblk0p3 ) using an RFS (Robust File System) with a custom FAT-like structure . A simple factory reset or a failed custom ROM flash could scramble the directory pointers, making the modem firmware read NULL instead of the IMEI.

"We present a vulnerability in the legacy Samsung RFS implementation where forced remount of the EFS partition without proper journal replay leads to state desynchronization between .nv_state and nv_data.bin. Exploitation allows setting IMEI to null, disabling network lock, or in rare cases, bricking the device's radio permanently. The GT-N7100 (Exynos 4412) is used as a case study due to its widespread third-party ROM community." n7100 imei null

While there is no single academic peer-reviewed paper titled "An Analysis of the N7100 IMEI Null Issue," the problem touches on Here is the most interesting and relevant paper