Indirector

Indirector is a new vulnerability discovered in Intel CPUs that exposes sensitive data. This flaw in software design or implementation was primarily researched to uncover the complexities of the Indirect Branch Predictor and the Branch Target Buffer units. These units are responsible for predicting the target addresses of branch instructions in modern CPUs. The vulnerability, named "Indirector", exploits a speculative execution feature in these CPUs, similar to the previously identified Spectre vulnerability. The exploitation technique dubbed "Indirector" allows for the redirection of the control flow of a program. This means it can alter the order in which a program executes individual instructions and function calls. This manipulation can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. The discovery of this vulnerability has been widely reported, with significant coverage on cybersecurity platforms such as The Hacker News. As of now, Intel has not released any microcode fix for the Indirector vulnerability, according to researcher Yavarzadeh. This leaves systems using affected Intel CPUs potentially exposed to this security risk. The absence of a fix emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures from both Intel and the broader cybersecurity community to mitigate the potential impacts of this vulnerability.