Intel completes Spectre fixes with new patches for its 6th, 7th and 8th-generation chips
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Intel completes Spectre fixes with new patches for its 6th, 7th and 8th-generation chips.
Intel is trying to patch Spectre again, and it’s hopefully doing it right this time. The chipmaker is rolling out fixes for its 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-generation processors, which includes its Core product lines, enthusiast-grade Core X family, and Xeon Scalable and Xeon D processors for data center systems.
Intel’s previous fix for Spectre was flawed, with certain users reporting system instabilities and reboots. The company had to revise its recommendation and tell users to skip the patch until a newer one could be deployed.
The new patch has been tested extensively, according to Intel, so it should be a lot more stable.
However, these microcode updates won’t be pushed directly to consumers. Instead, they’ll be released to system and motherboard OEMs, who will then incorporate them into BIOS updates.
The Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities are a serious matter for chipmakers, as they affect nearly all modern processors. At least 32 lawsuits have already been filed against Intel as a result of the exploits, and the company has announced silicon-based fixes for its upcoming processors this year.
Source: Intel
