Microsoft Issues Special Patch to Disable Spectre and Meltdown Fix

During Intel's earnings call last week, the company publicly acknowledged something for the first time: its CPU firmware fix and its resulting problems could in some instances lead to data loss or corruption.

Microsoft wasted no time in issuing a special update that disables Intel's CPU "fix" and makes your data safer: "While Intel tests, updates and deploys new microcode, we are making available an out of band update today, KB4078130, that specifically disables only the mitigation against CVE-2017-5715 – 'Branch target injection vulnerability.' In our testing this update has been found to prevent the behavior described."

The special Microsoft update covers Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8.1, and all versions of Windows 10, for both client and server.

You can download the update or read Microsoft's support summary.

And there is much more to come on this story, as Intel pointed out a number of significant forward looking risks to company earnings as a result of Meltdown and Spectre, including these two statements:

1. "Mitigation techniques, including software and firmware updates, may not operate as intended or effectively resolve these vulnerabilities."
2. "Separately, the publicity around recently disclosed security vulnerabilities may result in increased attempts by third parties to identify additional vulnerabilities, and future vulnerabilities and mitigation of those vulnerabilities may also adversely impact our results of operations, customer relationships, and reputation."

In addition, many are still wondering about the leaked document that raises questions about Intel's CEO and his notable stock sale.

Intel stock hit a five-year high on January 29, 2018, based on record fourth quarter and full-year earnings.