Intel suffers as fix for a design flaw in its chips causes them to slow down by up to 30 per cent

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Chips produced by Intel Corp (HQ pictured) over the past decade have a flaw that would leave the chip’s architecture exposed to hackers - but the fix can slow the chip down by up to 30 per cent, insiders say. File photo: AP

Published: 5:39am, 4 Jan 2018Updated: 6:13am, 4 Jan 2018

Intel chips produced over the last 10 years have a design flaw that must be fixed in software, it has emerged - but the repair causes machines to slow down by up to 30 per cent.

The defect affects the so-called kernel memory on Intel processor chips, The Register reported, citing unnamed programmers, and allows users of normal applications to discern the layout or content of protected areas on the chips.

That could make it possible for hackers to exploit other security bugs or, worse, expose secure information such as passwords, thus compromising individual computers or even entire server networks.

However, the software “patch” that will be deployed in Microsoft and Linux operating systems can have serious effects on the speed of the chips, the insiders said.

Intel and Microsoft did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. Shares in Intel fell by more than 3 per cent following the report.

The patches are to roll out on Microsoft Windows and the Linux operating system in order to fix the issue. Tests are stull underway, but systems have been slowed to 5-30 per cent, insiders said. Photo: Reuters

The Register said programmers for the Linux open-source operating system were working to overhaul the affected memory areas, while Microsoft was expected to issue a windows patch next Tuesday after circulating test fixes towards the end of 2017.