Security News

OpenFive and AnalogX announce optimized Chip-to-Chip interface IP solutions
2020-10-06 23:45

OpenFive along with AnalogX announced a complete sub-system solution and implementation for Chip-to-Chip interface with ultra-low latency and power. Interlaken IP supports from 1 up to 48 SerDes lanes with up to 112G SerDes rates, providing a scalable interface that offers end-to-end reliability using optional re-transmission and flow control mechanisms.

Unpatched Apple T2 Chip Flaw Plagues Macs
2020-10-06 14:16

A researcher is claiming that Apple devices - with a macOS operating system and a T2 security chip - are open to an exploit that could give bad actors root access. The flaw stems from the T2 chip, which is the second-generation version of Apple's chip that provides bolstered security - including securing its Touch ID feature, as well as providing the foundation for encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities.

Video encoders using Huawei chips have backdoors and bad bugs – and Chinese giant says it's not to blame
2020-09-17 18:42

Hardware video encoders from multiple suppliers contain several critical security bugs that allow a remote unauthenticated miscreant to run arbitrary code on the equipment. Huawei insists the vulnerabilities were not introduced by its HiSilicon chips nor the SDK code it provides to manufacturers that use its components.

IBM finds vulnerability in IoT chips present in billions of devices
2020-08-19 15:56

A security flaw in a series of IoT connectivity chips could leave billions of industrial, commercial, and medical devices open to attackers. EHS8 modules are built for industrial IoT machines that operate in factories, the energy sector, and medical roles, and are designed to create secure communication channels over 3G and 4G networks.

Vulnerabilities in Qualcomm Chips Expose Billions of Devices to Attacks
2020-08-10 15:04

Security researchers have identified hundreds of vulnerabilities that expose devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips to attacks. The proprietary subsystem is licensed for programming to OEMs and a small number of application developers, and the code running on DSP is signed, but the security researchers have identified ways to bypass Qualcomm's signature and run code on DSP. Vendors can build software for DSP using the Hexagon SDK, and serious security flaws in the development kit itself have resulted in hundreds of vulnerabilities being introduced in code from Qualcomm and partner vendors.

Qualcomm, MediaTek Wi-Fi Chips Vulnerable to Kr00k-Like Attacks
2020-08-07 12:33

The Kr00k vulnerability disclosed earlier this has only been found to impact devices using Wi-Fi chips from Broadcom and Cypress, but researchers revealed this week that similar flaws have been discovered in chips made by Qualcomm and MediaTek. While Wi-Fi chips from Qualcomm, Ralink, Realtek and MediaTek are not vulnerable to Kr00k attacks, ESET researchers discovered that they are affected by similar flaws.

Android phones could spy on users via flaws in Qualcomm chip
2020-08-06 19:47

Vulnerabilities were found in a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip that could let attackers obtain photos, videos, call recordings, and other data on Android phones, says Check Point Research. A new report by cyber threat intelligence provider Check Point Research explains how vulnerabilities found in a chip in many Android phones could allow hackers to spy on users.

Is Your Chip Card Secure? Much Depends on Where You Bank
2020-07-30 15:09

A recent series of malware attacks on U.S.-based merchants suggest thieves are exploiting weaknesses in how certain financial institutions have implemented the technology to sidestep key chip card security features and effectively create usable, counterfeit cards. Virtually all chip-based cards still have much of the same data that's stored in the chip encoded on a magnetic stripe on the back of the card.

Siemens Acquires System-on-Chip Analytics Company UltraSoC
2020-06-26 08:35

Siemens this week announced that it is acquiring UltraSoC Technologies, a provider of embedded analytics and monitoring solutions for systems-on-chip. Founded in 2006 and based in Cambridge, UK, UltraSoC delivers instrumentation and analytics solutions embedding monitoring, cybersecurity and functional safety capabilities into core SoC hardware.

Intel announces “exploit busting” features in its next processor chips
2020-06-16 16:57

As far as we can see, the first wave of Intel processors that will include these new protections are the not-quite-out-yet CPUs known by the nickname "Tiger Lake", so if you're a programmer you can't actually start tinkering with the CET features just yet. Errors in using memory are one of the leading causes of software bugs that lead to security holes, known in the trade as vulnerabilities.