Intel Kernel Memory Vulnerability

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#1929636 5-Jan-2018 09:52

Starscream122:

Do intel not test their CPUs how did they not find this fault and it's been present on CPUs they've made for the last 10 years

10 years of faulty CPUs unbelievable

and they can't even replace them as they are still making faulty CPUs the only option is a software fix that will slow the system down.

Well to be fair - its a vulnerability rather than a fault.

Fault = something that breaks

Vulnerability = something that can be hacked or exploited by someone with a mind to be looking to cause trouble.

I agree its not ideal - now that its been flagged of course there will be hackers and malware exploiters looking at how they can cause trouble with this new found knowledge.

Note that it has been there for over 10 years and no-one has noticed until now.

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#1929642 5-Jan-2018 10:01

freitasm:

Well this makes things even more complicated. From the link:

"In a default installation of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012 customers will not have an anti-virus application installed by default. In these situations, Microsoft recommends installing a supported anti-virus application such as Microsoft Security Essentials or a third-party anti-virus application"

Do you know how much server AV software costs? And are they recommending to buy the AV just to set the registry key?

Also note the misleading instructions:

"Customers will not receive these security updates and will not be protected from security vulnerabilities unless their anti-virus software vendor sets the following registry key: Key="HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" Subkey="SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\QualityCompat" Value="cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc" Type="REG_DWORD”"

The key name is cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc and the value should be 0.

The AV should set this so it can claim that it's ready to interact with the updated kernel in the proper ways - otherwise clients risk BSOD.

On machines without AV you can manually create this key so that the patch is downloaded.

This is only needed on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012.

Creating the key if an AV is present may cause BSOD.

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#1929645 5-Jan-2018 10:03

Another release from Intel:

Intel has developed and is rapidly issuing updates for all types of Intel-based computer systems -- including personal computers and servers -- that render those systems immune from both exploits (referred to as “Spectre” and “Meltdown”) reported by Google Project Zero. Intel and its partners have made significant progress in deploying updates as both software patches and firmware updates.

Intel has already issued updates for the majority of processor products introduced within the past five years. By the end of next week, Intel expects to have issued updates for more than 90 percent of processor products introduced within the past five years. In addition, many operating system vendors, public cloud service providers, device manufacturers and others have indicated that they have already updated their products and services.

Intel continues to believe that the performance impact of these updates is highly workload-dependent and, for the average computer user, should not be significant and will be mitigated over time. While on some discrete workloads the performance impact from the software updates may initially be higher, additional post-deployment identification, testing and improvement of the software updates should mitigate that impact.

System updates are made available by system manufacturers, operating system providers and others.

Intel will continue to work with its partners and others to address these issues, and Intel appreciates their support and assistance. Intel encourages computer users worldwide to utilize the automatic update functions of their operating systems and other computer software to ensure their systems are up-to-date.

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#1929674 5-Jan-2018 10:24

freitasm:

Also note the misleading instructions:

"Customers will not receive these security updates and will not be protected from security vulnerabilities unless their anti-virus software vendor sets the following registry key: Key="HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" Subkey="SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\QualityCompat" Value="cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc" Type="REG_DWORD”"

The key name is cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc and the value should be 0.

The AV should set this so it can claim that it's ready to interact with the updated kernel in the proper ways - otherwise clients risk BSOD.

On machines without AV you can manually create this key so that the patch is downloaded.

This is only needed on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012.

Creating the key if an AV is present may cause BSOD.

Well I guess the job list for my first day back at work on Monday is already sorted :)

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#1929889 5-Jan-2018 14:32

So 30% Price drop across the board on intel cpus be nice. I am Looking for a haswell i3 under 40$ for a xpenology NAS

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#1929984 5-Jan-2018 17:55

Just updated Fedora 27 to kernel 4.14.11 today which has the patch but is really a back-port from 4.15. No noticeable change in performance. I've just installed unreal tournament 99 and looked normal to me.

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#1930970 5-Jan-2018 18:08

Updated all Geekzone VMs and host server now.

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Starscream122

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#1930972 5-Jan-2018 18:10

The update must be rolling out in waves cause I haven't got anything.

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#1930973 5-Jan-2018 18:12

Yes, probably. It doesn't show on my HP Microserver at home yet.

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#1930976 5-Jan-2018 18:19

freitasm:

Microsoft update including the fix is being rolled out now - should appear in Windows Update soon.

Can someone clarify - this "fix" is responsible for slowing the CPU by 30%, no patch no slow, but no patch = bad.

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#1930977 5-Jan-2018 18:25

djtOtago:

Why is this being blamed on the hardware (Intel/AMD/ARM) when it appears to be a problem with the way the OS is managing memory access?

Presumably (no I didn't take computer science at uni lol) it's a matter of time before people discover a similar "bug" with other things eg routers, ATMs, bank computers, power companies, traffic management, etc (that may use other CPUs)?

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#1930978 5-Jan-2018 18:27

@Batman:

freitasm:

Microsoft update including the fix is being rolled out now - should appear in Windows Update soon.

Can someone clarify - this "fix" is responsible for slowing the CPU by 30%, no patch no slow, but no patch = bad.

It can be UP TO 30% depending on your workload. My guess is if you use it for large databases and data intensive work then you might see something. If you use for web browsing and email, I doubt it.

YMMV.

Always apply security patches.

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#1930979 5-Jan-2018 18:29

Batman:
freitasm:

Microsoft update including the fix is being rolled out now - should appear in Windows Update soon.

Can someone clarify - this "fix" is responsible for slowing the CPU by 30%, no patch no slow, but no patch = bad.

Looks like basically no impact on latest Intel CPUs in windows 10 for normal desktop usage/gaming.
https://www.techspot.com/amp/article/1554-meltdown-flaw-cpu-performance-windows/

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#1930982 5-Jan-2018 18:53

Yay thanks

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#1931109 6-Jan-2018 04:23

The good old TEOTWAWKI Intel Atom N270 isn't affected anyhow. And it's still working well under Win7 professional when tweaked accordingly against all odds and performance hungry graphic applications. The same with the Raspberry Pi with a LEMP stack. I wonder when I'll have to swap the OS to a Linux derivate in the future.

To reach the same security and privacy level with a Win10 Intel i5 notebook recently bought for my wife and still under investigation is a nightmare and more like a widely open barn door.

Qui nihil scit, omnia credere debet.
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