MIT Researchers Discover Unpatchable Hardware Flaw in Apple M1 Chips
MIT researchers uncover a hardware vulnerability in Apple's M1 chips that they describe as unpatchable, though Apple downplays the immediate security risk. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the processor's final security defenses using a method called the Pacman attack.
MIT researchers uncover a significant hardware vulnerability in Apple's M1 chips using a novel technique called the Pacman attack. This exploit allows malicious actors to bypass the processor's last line of security defenses by targeting pointer authentication codes. The researchers classify the flaw as fundamentally unpatchable because it exploits a hardware mechanism rather than a software bug.
Despite the alarming nature of the discovery, Apple does not appear overly concerned about the immediate threat to its users. The company notes that exploiting this vulnerability requires a separate software bug to gain initial access to the system before the Pacman attack can even be executed. This means the flaw cannot be used on its own to compromise a device.
This revelation arrives as part of a busy tech news day that also includes Amazon withdrawing from bidding on IPL cricket streaming rights. Additionally, hedge funds see the current crypto market downturn as a prime opportunity to acquire digital assets at lower prices. Meanwhile, the tech industry continues to navigate a wave of layoffs as investors increasingly demand profitability from startups.