14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has released new UEFI firmware updates for its Surface devices as part of the January rollout to address the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities disclosed earlier this month.
The Surface models getting the January 2018 firmware updates with security patches are Surface Book (original and second generation), Surface Laptop, Surface Studio, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Pro 3. Surface Pro with LTE is not on the list, but Microsoft says the update is currently being validated and should go live for everyone shortly.
In all cases, the most important change for Surface owners is the line that points to a Surface UEFI update to version 388.1932.769.0, which according to Microsoft “resolves security vulnerabilities,” including those detailed in a support document on Meltdown and Spectre.
No attacks aimed at Surface users
Additionally, the Surface Book also gets some other improvements, including updates to the Surface dTPM, Management Engine, and System Aggregator, all supposed to address security bugs. Intel HD Graphics are also being updated to version 22.20.16.4811 to improve DirectX12 and power performance.
Microsoft says in an advisory last updated on January 10 that it’s not aware of any exploits targeted at Surface devices, recommending all users to patch systems as soon as possible to remain secure.
“Microsoft has not received any information to indicate that these vulnerabilities have been used to attack customers at this time. Microsoft continues to work closely with industry partners, including chipmakers and application vendors, to protect customers. To get all available protections, hardware or firmware updates and software updates are required. This includes microcode and, in some cases, updates to AV software,” the firm says.
Surface firmware updates are shipped via Windows Update and devices must be charged or plugged in to make sure they don’t run out of battery during installation. You can check the list in the box below to see all the changes introduced with the January 2018 Surface firmware updates.