Computer Hardware

“Today, AMD is providing updates regarding our recommended mitigations for Google Project Zero (GPZ) Variant 2 (Spectre) for Microsoft Windows users. These mitigations require a combination of processor microcode updates from our OEM and motherboard partners, as well as running the current and fully up-to-date version of Windows. For Linux users, AMD recommended mitigations for GPZ Variant 2 were made available to our Linux partners and have been released to distribution earlier this year…
Microsoft is releasing an operating system update containing Variant 2 (Spectre) mitigations for AMD users running Windows 10 (version 1709) today. Support for these mitigations for AMD processors in Windows Server 2016 is expected to be available following final validation and testing.
In addition, microcode updates with our recommended mitigations addressing Variant 2 (Spectre) have been released to our customers and ecosystem partners for AMD processors dating back to the first “Bulldozer” core products introduced in 2011.
AMD customers will be able to install the microcode by downloading BIOS updates provided by PC and server manufacturers and motherboard providers. Please check with your provider for the latest updates.”
Spectre Mitigation Update – Mark Papermaster, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Intel has microcode patches available for newer CPUs.
They are not going to patch: Bloomfield, Clarksfield, Gulftown, Penryn, Wolfdale, Yorkfield…
AFAICS this is basically Intel Core 2 through the early i5/7 and the Xeons from those eras.
Intel – Microcode Revision Guidance, April 2, 2018 (PDF)

So this is a thing: https://amdflaws.com/
Slashdot links to this article: AMD has a Spectre/Meltdown-like security flaw of its own
They say, “13 Critical Security Vulnerabilities and Manufacturer Backdoors discovered throughout AMD Ryzen & EPYC product lines.” Apparently they only gave AMD a 24 hour heads up.
Just you break out the popcorn, sit back, put your feet up and watch what comes of this.