Re: Intel Pentium Bug
Colin Jenkins (Colin-Jenkins@DESHAW.COM)
Fri, 07 Nov 1997 22:51:45 -0500
> This is something I discussed with a friend about two years ago.
> Imagine if you will someone with information on how to download new
> microcode to the CPU. This person has the availity to write a
> virus/trojan/activex/program that can now compleatly disable your CPU
> in such a way that it would need to be taken out to reinitialize.
[...]
> If Intel where to provide a program to update the microcode on the CPU
> it would most probably be disassembled and reverse engineered quickly.
> Whats a multi-billion company to do?C
>
> Aleph One / aleph1@dfw.net
One possiblity is that the chip can only be programmed when the right
signals on particular pins are present. The proper configuration would
not be possible on the average PC.
This approach would allow Intel to quickly reprogram stocked
parts. It would also allow them to exchange CPUs with concerned owners
and turn around the reprogrammed chips to other users. It would also
prevent the scenario described above.
Just a thought.
Colin