Intel and AMD trusted enclaves, the backbone of network security, fall to physical attacks

Intel and AMD's trusted enclaves, designed to enhance network security, have been found vulnerable to physical attacks. These enclaves, known as SGX and SEV respectively, are hardware-based security features that isolate sensitive data and processes from the rest of the system. Researchers have discovered that these enclaves can be breached through physical access, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information and potentially compromise the entire system. This is a significant concern, as the chipmakers had previously stated that physical attacks were not part of the threat model for these features. The discovery of these vulnerabilities raises questions about the reliability of trusted enclaves and the need for more robust security measures. While the chipmakers are working on addressing the issues, users are advised to be cautious and implement additional security controls to protect their systems from these types of attacks.