[RndTbl] Horrific CPU flaws (Meltdown / Spectre)

[Trevor Cordes]

On 2018-01-04 Gilles Detillieux wrote:
> I just updated our Scientific Linux systems, which means the RHEL 
> updates are out too, and presumably CentOS updates are too or will be 
> shortly. These updates included firmware/microcode packages, which

Interesting on the fw/microcode as what I read indicated this can't be
fixed in fw/mc.  Though perhaps fw/mc changes could help in some way,
in tandem with the OS.

> I'm assuming are loaded on reboot as well. Some of the reports I read 
> suggested that you'd need to reflash your BIOS/UEFI firmware once the
> PC manufacturers release these updates. Are those reports in error, 
> confusing the two types of firmware, or are we going to have to hunt 
> down PC or mobo-specific firmware updates for this whole debacle too?

Again, from what I read, this won't be a fw thing, so I don't think
we'll see the above scenario.  If we do -- if fix=fw+os -- then we're
in for a world of hurt because most mfr's stop updating fw after their
cycle, usually max of 3 years, some much less.  That would leave a
whole slew of mobos unfixable.  Good way for the industry to force a
rapid upgrade cycle!!!  That might really get Intel in trouble,
though... $$$ lawsuits.

Of course, it's early days, so I could be way offbase, and even if I'm
correct now, my info may be wrong in a few days/weeks.