[News] China Cyberspace Security Association Urges Probe into Intel’s Security Flaws

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A report from China Cyberspace Security Association on the 16th, criticized Intel for frequent security vulnerabilities, poor reliability, and user surveillance. The association recommended launching a cybersecurity investigation into Intel products.

In an article titled “Frequent Vulnerabilities and High Failure Rates: A Call for Systematic Review of Intel’s Cybersecurity Risks,” the association highlighted four major issues: recurring security vulnerabilities, poor reliability with a disregard for user complaints, using remote system management as a cover for surveillance, and secretly installing backdoors that threaten network and information security.

The article noted that since the end of 2023, many users reported crashes while using Intel’s 13th and 14th generation Core i9 CPUs during specific games. Intel, in collaboration with HP and other manufacturers, also developed the IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) standard, supposedly to monitor the physical health of servers. Technically, it manages and controls servers through the BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) module.

However, this module was previously revealed to have a high-risk vulnerability (e.g., CVE-2019-11181), putting numerous servers worldwide at serious risk of attack and control. Additionally, the article accused Intel of installing backdoors that further jeopardize cybersecurity.

According to United Daily News, the China Cyberspace Security Association was established in 2016 with approval from the Chinese government. Its members include major Chinese internet companies, cybersecurity firms, authoritative research institutions, and leading experts in the cybersecurity field.

Economic Daily News quoted industry sources warning that if Intel products face restrictions in China, it would have widespread repercussions on the PC industry. All major brands, including Chinese brands like Huawei and Lenovo, rely heavily on Intel’s product lines. Even Taiwanese brands like ASUS and Acer could see their dual-processor strategies disrupted.

United Daily News reported that in recent years, the U.S. has actively worked to block China from acquiring advanced semiconductor equipment and technology, a key issue in the ongoing trade conflict between the two nations. In May of last year, China’s government imposed a ban on U.S. memory chipmaker Micron, citing national security risks, a move widely viewed as retaliation against U.S. efforts to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology.

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