Cornell University (USA) specialists told about the method of hacking computers based on AMD processors. Research information is published on the website of the organization.
According to Robert Buhren researcher, hacking occurs with the AMD processor of the AMD special chip integrated into the AMD Secure Processor (AMD-SP) protective block. Third-party component unfolds a special SEV firmware, which is able to decrypt all data associated with a virtual machine. Thus, it is possible to compromise data on a PC using physical access to equipment.
Researchers noticed that third-party chip is able to disclose any information stored in the AMD-SP block. In the laboratory conditions, the hacking method was successfully implemented on the Zen 1 – Zen generation processors 2. The authors note that earlier AMD reported that Zen 2-Zen 3 generation processors were not ever used when hacking computers.
Buchens stressed that the physical presence of a hacker is needed to carry into the system in front of the computer. Thus, the overwhelming number of home users may not be afraid for their safety. However, companies that use cloud solutions and placing their data on third-party servers must more accommodively approach the selection of the provider.
In March, security specialists have discovered in Intel processors two critical vulnerabilities. Inochanned capabilities allow you to modify the microcode and get control of the processor and the entire system.