Flaw in Hundreds of Millions of AMD Chips Exposed – Are Your Devices at Risk?

[Tall Timbers]

San Francisco, CA – A significant security flaw dubbed ‘Sinkclose’ has been discovered in hundreds of millions of AMD chips, leaving them vulnerable to deep and virtually unfixable infections. The flaw is a cause for concern as it poses a threat to the cybersecurity of numerous devices utilizing these chips.

The ‘Sinkclose’ vulnerability allows attackers to infiltrate the AMD chips and implant malware that is challenging to detect and remove. This flaw poses a serious risk as it can potentially compromise the security and privacy of users’ data stored on devices powered by these chips.

According to cybersecurity experts, the ‘Sinkclose’ flaw is particularly concerning due to its complexity and the difficulty in mitigating its effects. This vulnerability could have severe consequences for individuals, businesses, and organizations relying on AMD chips for their computing needs.

Flaw in Hundreds of Millions of AMD Chips Exposed - Are Your Devices at Risk? - Absolute News

San Francisco, CA – A significant security flaw dubbed ‘Sinkclose’ has been discovered in hundreds of millions of AMD chips, leaving them vulnerable to deep and virtually unfixable infections. The flaw is a cause for concern as it poses a threat to the cybersecurity of numerous devices utilizing...

absolutenews.com

Wired has a better article on this but it's behind their paywall.

‘Sinkclose’ Flaw in Hundreds of Millions of AMD Chips Allows Deep, Virtually Unfixable Infections

Researchers warn that a bug in AMD’s chips would allow attackers to root into some of the most privileged portions of a computer—and that it has persisted in the company’s processors for decades.

www.wired.com

As a last resort when purging someone's computer of viruses, I could always format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. Apparently that won't work in this situation. The Wired article indicates the best thing to do if infected via this vulnerability would be to throw out your computer.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

As a last resort when purging someone's computer of viruses, I could always format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. Apparently that won't work in this situation. The Wired article indicates the best thing to do if infected via this vulnerability would be to throw out your computer.

Instead of throwing out, better to recycle at an electronics recycle point.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Just checked, my computer has an intel sticker, and it's not a particularly new computer
Printer is so old it requires an old-school printer cable
No AMD in my cell according to specs
The TV has a separate converter box from forced conversion to digital
Breadmaker, no idea.
None in my car, as every part was made in Japan and AMD isn't.
The internet router can be taken to the store and exchanged free if it fails
No robot vac (yet)
Major appliances belong to the apartment complex.

I don't think any other electronic devices.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

San Francisco, CA – A significant security flaw dubbed ‘Sinkclose’ has been discovered in hundreds of millions of AMD chips, leaving them vulnerable to deep and virtually unfixable infections. The flaw is a cause for concern as it poses a threat to the cybersecurity of numerous devices utilizing these chips.

The ‘Sinkclose’ vulnerability allows attackers to infiltrate the AMD chips and implant malware that is challenging to detect and remove. This flaw poses a serious risk as it can potentially compromise the security and privacy of users’ data stored on devices powered by these chips.

According to cybersecurity experts, the ‘Sinkclose’ flaw is particularly concerning due to its complexity and the difficulty in mitigating its effects. This vulnerability could have severe consequences for individuals, businesses, and organizations relying on AMD chips for their computing needs.

Flaw in Hundreds of Millions of AMD Chips Exposed - Are Your Devices at Risk? - Absolute News

San Francisco, CA – A significant security flaw dubbed ‘Sinkclose’ has been discovered in hundreds of millions of AMD chips, leaving them vulnerable to deep and virtually unfixable infections. The flaw is a cause for concern as it poses a threat to the cybersecurity of numerous devices utilizing...

absolutenews.com

Wired has a better article on this but it's behind their paywall.

‘Sinkclose’ Flaw in Hundreds of Millions of AMD Chips Allows Deep, Virtually Unfixable Infections

Researchers warn that a bug in AMD’s chips would allow attackers to root into some of the most privileged portions of a computer—and that it has persisted in the company’s processors for decades.

www.wired.com

As a last resort when purging someone's computer of viruses, I could always format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. Apparently that won't work in this situation. The Wired article indicates the best thing to do if infected via this vulnerability would be to throw out your computer.

Here's the list of affected products from a link in the behind-the-paywall-but-wasn't-when-I-went-there article. The list's on AMD's website. Some of this dates back to 2006 and maybe earlier, according to the Wired article.

https://www.amd.com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-7014.html

 

[Everlasting Life]

Here's the list of affected products from a link in the behind-the-paywall-but-wasn't-when-I-went-there article. The list's on AMD's website. Some of this dates back to 2006 and maybe earlier, according to the Wired article.

https://www.amd.com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-7014.html

Was just wondering about this.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Was just wondering about this.

The list doesn't list the consumer products that contain the chips, just the chips that have the problem.

Consumers have to look at the specifications for their products and hope the specific chip(s) are listed, or physically look at the chip(s) in their product(s). Specifications may have changed over time, so an older product may or may not have an affected chip(s), while a more recently built same product may not or may have an affected chip(s), so important to make sure the specifications are the actual ones for owned devices/products if relying on specifications instead of physical inspection. Most devices not advisable to physically open without proper tools and expertise/knowledge. If there's a warranty, definitely don't, as the warranty will most likely become void.

 

[Tall Timbers]

The list doesn't list the consumer products that contain the chips, just the chips that have the problem.

If I had a computer with an AMD chip that had a manufacture date within the last 20 years I would just make sure I had a good anti-virus program and hope for the best. But I don't buy computers with AMD chips. I stick with Intel and Nvidia.

I personally wouldn't be concerned with a device that I don't use to process or store personal files or a device that can't spy on me in some way being infected.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

If I had a computer with an AMD chip that had a manufacture date within the last 20 years I would just make sure I had a good anti-virus program and hope for the best. But I don't buy computers with AMD chips. I stick with Intel and Nvidia.

I personally wouldn't be concerned with a device that I don't use to process or store personal files or a device that can't spy on me in some way being infected.

Wonder if the breadmaker can talk to the neighbor's dishwasher (it shows up in the list of wifi)?
Dishwashers are such blabbermouths

 

[Tall Timbers]

Wonder if the breadmaker can talk to the neighbor's dishwasher (it shows up in the list of wifi)?
Dishwashers are such blabbermouths

I put a cover over our bread maker when it's not in use so it can't report our activities to its master .

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I put a cover over our bread maker when it's not in use so it can't report our activities to its master .

Isn't that breadmaker abuse?!!!