Graphics vulnerability discovered Intel CPUs

Another flaw has been discovered in Intel's processors, this time in the integrated graphics component. Phoronix reports there are new Linux patches because insufficient control flow in certain data structures can result in an unauthenticated user gaining unauthorized access to data, but this requires local access.

The patch consists of a couple of lines of code that forcibly clear down all execution unit state at each context switch. Most of Intel's recent processors are affected, with exception of those with Gen8 graphics, as these chips are protected via an earlier workaround:

The Linux kernel patch for this hardware defect that was merged earlier today only was for the very common Gen9 graphics, basically from Skylake through all relevant/shipping CPUs today pre-Icelake. The patch had mentioned though Gen8 was not impacted thanks to an earlier workaround. But now it turns out Intel Gen7/Gen7.5 graphics are also affected: this basically means Ivy Bridge and Haswell processors along with the likes of Valley View.

It's unknown when this will be patched for the Windows platform. At the moment, there's also no word about how this may affect integrated graphics performance.