Bugtraq mailing list archives
Re: Intel Pentium Bug
From: daniele () ORLANDI COM (Daniele Orlandi)
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 03:20:04 +0100
This is something I discussed with a friend about two years ago. Imagine if you will someone with information on how to download new microcode to the CPU. This person has the availity to write a virus/trojan/activex/program that can now compleatly disable your CPU [snip] If Intel where to provide a program to update the microcode on the CPU it would most probably be disassembled and reverse engineered quickly. Whats a multi-billion company to do?C
If the CPU microcode is really updateable, it's realistic to think that: 1- Upload requires to be done only when running in ring-0, just like all the other protected instructions. No user program will be able to use this feature. 2- New microcode will not be permanent, otherwise, if you, by mistake, put garbage in your CPU, you'll not have to throw the CPU in the trash. So, only the operating system or a Master Boot Record virus, will be able to install the new microcode. Bye... -- Daniele -------------------------------------------------------------------- Daniele Orlandi - Utility Line Italia - http://www.xt.net Via Mezzera 29/A - 20030 Seveso (MI) - Italy - FAX: ++39(362)540153 --------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Daniele Orlandi (Nov 07)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Aleph One (Nov 07)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Ian McWilliam (Nov 08)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug John Pettitt (Nov 07)
- Sidenote of Pentium Bugs Dave (Nov 07)
- Security bug in iCat Suite version 3.0 Mikael Johansson (Nov 08)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug JoelKatz (Nov 07)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Joe Ilacqua (Nov 07)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Rubens Kuhl Jr. (Nov 07)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Ralf Baechle (Nov 10)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Barry Irwin (Nov 08)
(Thread continues...)
- Re: Intel Pentium Bug Aleph One (Nov 07)