Communications of the ACM
Previously nknown Flaw in Intel Chips Could Allow Hackers to Steal Private Data From Your Computer
According to security experts, an Intel chipset flaw allows hackers to scrape your computer's most important information.
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Security analysts from Positive Technologies revealed at a Black Hat conference in Singapore last month that they have discovered a previously unknown vulnerability within Intel hardware that could enable the interception of private data inside one's computer.
The analysts warned that hackers could exploit the Visualization of Internal Signals Architecture (VISA), used to test chips before public release, to monitor information within the computer's controller hub chipset.
Positive Technologies' Maxim Goryachy said, "We found out that it is possible to access Intel VISA on ordinary motherboards, with no specific equipment needed."
Although VISA is deactivated by default on all Intel commercial systems, it can turned on remotely by exploiting a flaw Positive Technologies uncovered in 2017; once accessed, VISA also lets hackers create tailored rule sets for the computer, giving them potentially dangerous levels of control over system data.
Intel has issued a firmware patch to correct the flaw, but those who have not received it from their motherboard or laptop maker remain vulnerable.
From The Daily Mail (U.K.)
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