Intel Core 2 Security concerns
Theo de Raadt posts some concerns about Core 2 processors. Interesting quotes include:
"Various developers are busy implimenting (sic) workarounds for serious bugs
in Intel's Core 2 cpu.
These processors are buggy as hell, and some of these bugs don't just
cause development/debugging problems, but will *ASSUREDLY* be
exploitable from userland code."
and:
"Note that some errata like AI65, AI79, AI43, AI39, AI90, AI99 scare
the hell out of us. Some of these are things that cannot be fixed in
running code, and some are things that every operating system will do
until about mid-2008.."
and:
"At this time, I cannot recommend purchase of any machines based on the
Intel Core 2 until these issues are dealt with (which I suspect will
take more than a year). Intel must be come more transparent.
(While here, I would like to say that AMD is becoming less helpful day
by day towards open source operating systems too, perhaps because
their serious errata lists are growing rapidly too)."
A good, easy to understand summary for normal people is here: http://www.geek.com/images/geeknews/2006Jan/core_duo_errata__2006_01_21__full.gif
Only one bug is listed due to be fixed by Intel. All others are to be fixed by BIOS or OS producers.
Labels: Bug, Hardware, Vulnerability
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