Intel design flaw hidden for 20 years

Stefan Mileschin · 11th August 2015, 14:22

A design flaw in the x86 processor architecture which is almost 20 years old allows hackers to install a rootkit in the low-level firmware of computers.

Christopher Domas, a security researcher with the Battelle Memorial Institute warned that such malware could be undetectable by security products.

The vulnerability stems from a feature first added to the x86 architecture in 1997 and enables hackers to install a rootkit in the processors System Management Mode (SMM). For those who came in late this is a protected region of code that underpins all the firmware security features in modern computers.

http://www.techeye.net/news/intel-de...n-for-20-years

11th August 2015, 14:22	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 148,578	Intel design flaw hidden for 20 years A design flaw in the x86 processor architecture which is almost 20 years old allows hackers to install a rootkit in the low-level firmware of computers. Christopher Domas, a security researcher with the Battelle Memorial Institute warned that such malware could be undetectable by security products. The vulnerability stems from a feature first added to the x86 architecture in 1997 and enables hackers to install a rootkit in the processors System Management Mode (SMM). For those who came in late this is a protected region of code that underpins all the firmware security features in modern computers. http://www.techeye.net/news/intel-de...n-for-20-years

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