cover of episode 2.5 Admins 235: XKCD221

2.5 Admins 235: XKCD221

2025/2/20
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2.5 Admins

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Google found a way to run unofficial microcode on AMD CPUs, bypassing signature checks and potentially compromising security features like encrypted virtualization. This raises concerns about the security of AMD CPUs and the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data. The discussion also touches upon the common practice among software developers of 'rolling their own' solutions instead of using established, well-tested libraries, which can lead to vulnerabilities.
  • Google bypassed signature checks on AMD CPUs using unofficial microcode.
  • This allowed them to introduce a bug that made RD-RAND always return 4.
  • This also compromises security features like encrypted virtualization and the root of trust.
  • Software developers often write their own cryptographic functions instead of using established libraries, leading to vulnerabilities.

Shownotes Transcript

Google found a way to run unofficial microcode on AMD CPUs, whether software should get a CVE when it goes end of life, LLMs changing Redditors’ minds and self-replicating, and managing SSH keys at scale.

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