Researchers decrypt Intel CPU keys for the first time

For the first time ever, security researchers managed to extract a secret key that Intel uses to provide microcode updates for its processors. The news affects chips based on Intel's Goldmont architecture, which is used for Celeron, Pentium, and Atom chips. ARS Technica reports the key can be used to reverse engineer Intel's microcode updates and study the exploits they're patching. Furthermore, it could allow the execution of own microcode, but such a customized version wouldn't survive a reboot.

“At the moment, it is quite difficult to assess the security impact,” independent researcher Maxim Goryachy said in a direct message. “But in any case, this is the first time in the history of Intel processors when you can execute your microcode inside and analyze the updates.” Goryachy and two other researchers—Dmitry Sklyarov and Mark Ermolov, both with security firm Positive Technologies—worked jointly on the project.