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AMD CPU users need to update their BIOS as Sinkclose vulnerability discovered

If you're running an AMD CPU, you need to keep on top of your BIOS updates
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AMD CPU users need to update their BIOS as Sinkclose vulnerability discovered
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Security researchers from IOActive have found another vulnerability in some of the best CPUs at the moment. In fact, the AMD security bulletin seems to suggest that it is for nearly every AMD CPU out there as it spans many generations. We’ll list out the range further below, but this Sinkhole vulnerability allows someone with ring 0 access to modify the System Management Mode (SMM) even when it is locked down.

Such access allows an attacker to change the basic functions of the system and intrude on it before anything else has even loaded. When SMM starts, it is an operating mode where normal executions are suspended, and it executes an alternate software with high privileges. That allows the intruders to run any malicious code they want and that will be unlikely to be picked up by any anti-virus or security as it has such a high-level pass. Plus it will also make it nearly impossible to remove as even a clean OS install will not get rid of the intrusion.

Sinkclose vulnerability security document, Source AMD
Sinkclose vulnerability security document, Source AMD

Affected processors and what to do

AMD has already acknowledged the vulnerability and released the bulletin in response. This details all the affected products and what is going to be done in terms of mitigating Sinkhole on each of them. So if you have any of the following processors you may want to pay attention, and there are over a decade’s worth of them in there.


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There is already an immediate fix users can opt for to update their hardware and ensure its security. But it is a more complex solution for an everyday person as it requires connecting up an SPI Flash programmer to your hardware. However, with AMD already on the case, so if there’s not already one, there will be a BIOS update available to run and get the security update required. A lot more user-friendly for the average person, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your motherboard BIOS page for any new improvements.

About the Author

With a fascination for technology and games, Seb is a tech writer with a focus on hardware and deals. He is also the primary tester and reviewer at BGFG and PCGuide.