USN-3531-1: Intel Microcode update

Publication date

11 January 2018

Overview

The system could be made to expose sensitive information.


Packages

Details

It was discovered that microprocessors utilizing speculative execution
and branch prediction may allow unauthorized memory reads via sidechannel
attacks. This flaw is known as Spectre. A local attacker could use this to
expose sensitive information, including kernel memory. (CVE-2017-5715)

This update provides the microcode updates required for the corresponding
Linux kernel updates.

It was discovered that microprocessors utilizing speculative execution
and branch prediction may allow unauthorized memory reads via sidechannel
attacks. This flaw is known as Spectre. A local attacker could use this to
expose sensitive information, including kernel memory. (CVE-2017-5715)

This update provides the microcode updates required for the corresponding
Linux kernel updates.

Update instructions

After a standard system update you need to reboot your computer to make all the necessary changes.

Learn more about how to get the fixes.

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu Release Package Version
17.10 artful intel-microcode –  3.20180108.0~ubuntu17.10.1
17.04 zesty intel-microcode –  3.20180108.0~ubuntu17.04.1
16.04 xenial intel-microcode –  3.20180108.0~ubuntu16.04.2
14.04 trusty intel-microcode –  3.20180108.0~ubuntu14.04.2

Reduce your security exposure

Ubuntu Pro provides ten-year security coverage to 25,000+ packages in Main and Universe repositories, and it is free for up to five machines.


Have additional questions?

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