Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Researcher Exploits 18-Year-Old Design Flaw To Compromise X86 Chips

Posted by samzenpus on from the protect-ya-neck dept.

jfruh writes: Security researcher Christopher Domas has demonstrated a method of installing a rootkit in a PC's firmware that exploits a feature built into every x86 chip manufactured since 1997. The rootkit infects the processor's System Management Mode, and could be used to wipe the UEFI or even to re-infect the OS after a clean install. Protection features like Secure Boot wouldnt help, because they too rely on the SMM to be secure.

7 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. HA! by ArchieBunker · · Score: 4, Funny

    I use Alpha 21264 you insensitive clod!

    --
    Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
    1. Re:HA! by DerekLyons · · Score: 5, Funny

      Slashdot has been quicker to get the news out of late...

  2. Re:Right by beschra · · Score: 4, Funny

    everybody knows who originally requested it.

    Bush? Obama?

    --
    It is unwise to ascribe motive
  3. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hmm 18 years. That would be Clinton. But then math was never my strong point I am a republican after all.

  4. Read Headlines Too Fast by flopsquad · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's what I get for scrolling through the headlines too fast--I see "One Night in the Hotel Room of the Future, Researcher Exploits 18-Year-Old"...

    --
    Nothing posted to /. has ever been legal advice, including this.
  5. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    everybody knows who originally requested it.

    Bush? Obama?

    Clinton was President from 1993 to 2001. It might have been her husband.

  6. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    > so it could effect amd computers back to 2005 ish. does that even sound right?
    No, you misspelled affect