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MIT researchers unveil TONTOU attack bypassing Spectre defenses on Intel and AMD CPUs

By PulseAugur Editorial · [2 sources] ·

Researchers at MIT have developed a new attack called TONTOU that exploits a vulnerability in Intel and AMD CPUs, bypassing existing Spectre defenses. This attack leverages timer interrupts to reopen a window for branch predictor poisoning, a technique used to trick CPUs into executing unintended code. A proof-of-concept exploit targeting Zen 2 processors has been demonstrated, highlighting a significant security concern for modern processors. AI

IMPACT This research highlights a potential vulnerability in the hardware underlying AI systems, which could impact the security and reliability of AI computations.

RANK_REASON Security research paper detailing a new CPU attack. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=2 ai=0.4]

Read on The Register — AI →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 2 sources. How we write summaries →

MIT researchers unveil TONTOU attack bypassing Spectre defenses on Intel and AMD CPUs

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Security research paper detailing a new CPU attack. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=2 ai=0.4]
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COVERAGE [2]

  1. The Register — AI TIER_1 English(EN) ·

    MIT boffins' TONTOU attack slips through Spectre defenses on Intel and AMD CPUs

    Timer interrupts reopen branch predictor poisoning window, with a working Zen 2 exploit to prove it

  2. Mastodon — mastodon.social TIER_1 English(EN) · [email protected] ·

    MIT boffins' TONTOU attack slips through Spectre defenses on Intel and AMD CPUs Timer interrupts reopen branch predictor poisoning window, with a working Zen 2

    MIT boffins' TONTOU attack slips through Spectre defenses on Intel and AMD CPUs Timer interrupts reopen branch predictor poisoning window, with a working Zen 2 exploit to prove it https://www. theregister.com/security/2026/ 08/07/mit-boffins-tontou-attack-slips-through-spectre-de…

    LINKS theregister.com/…/5284081

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