14 DAY TRIAL // The "massive Intel processor design flaw" debacle is starting to get to a whole new level pretty soon, especially that the upcoming patches implemented by OS vendors at software level are expected to have a dramatical impact on the processing power.
While Intel can't fix the said security flaw in its Intel CPUs released over the past decade, OS vendors are forced to redesign how their kernel works. macOS, Linux, and Windows systems are affected if they are installed on machines powered by an Intel processor.
While Linux and Windows users will soon get a patch that fixes the bug in the Intel CPUs, developer Alex Ionescu reports today via Twitter that Apple already fixed the security vulnerability in its macOS operating system last month with the macOS 10.13.2 update.
"The question on everyone's minds: Does MacOS fix the Intel KPTI Issue? Why yes, yes it does. Say hello to the "Double Map" since 10.13.2 -- and with some surprises in 10.13.3 (under Developer NDA so can't talk/show you)," said Alex Ionescu earlier today on Twitter.
According to AppleInsider, the macOS 10.3.2 release contains various routines that secure the hardware flaw, restricting apps from accessing the protected kernel memory data, which could put all the information contained in kernel memory at risk, including passwords, application keys, etc.
macOS 10.3.3 to fully patch the security flaw in Intel Macs
As Alex Ionescu said, Apple is still working to fully patch the hardware security flaw in Intel Macs with the macOS 10.3.3 software update, which is currently in beta testing. Apple released earlier today the third macOS 10.13.3 High Sierra beta to developers.
We have no real proof that the macOS 10.13.3 beta 3 update fully patches the hardware bug in Intel CPUs, as Apple did not disclose details of the bug fixes, but if you want to feel safe and keep your Mac secure, you can install the latest beta version of High Sierra.
We expect Apple to release the macOS 10.13.3 High Sierra software update at the end of the month or in early February. We also recommend all users with a supported Intel Mac to update to this version at their earliest convenience.
Developing story...
The question on everyone's minds: Does MacOS fix the Intel #KPTI Issue? Why yes, yes it does. Say hello to the "Double Map" since 10.13.2 -- and with some surprises in 10.13.3 (under Developer NDA so can't talk/show you). cc @i0n1c @s1guza @patrickwardle pic.twitter.com/S1YJ9tMS63 — Alex Ionescu (@aionescu) January 3, 2018