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Ars TechnicaDan Goodin

AMD removes TSME from Ryzen CPUs, users express anger

Part of the Ryzen story · since 15 Jun

Quiet for 19 weekslast report 22 Jun3 articles2 outlets
15 Jun · Ars Technica first26 Aug19 Sep13 OctNowThis article1st of 3
  • Mon 15 Jun, 18:05 UTC. Ars Technica, first report. AMD removes TSME from Ryzen CPUs, users express anger. This article, 1st of 3.
  • Tue 16 Jun, 08:20 UTC. SecurityOnline, its first report on the story. AMD silently disables TSME memory encryption on mid range Ryzen.
  • Mon 22 Jun, 19:40 UTC. Ars Technica. AMD restores memory encryption on Ryzen CPUs after user outcry.

AMD has removed the Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME) feature from its consumer CPUs, a change that has surprised and frustrated users. Initially introduced to protect against physical data threats, TSME was available on lower-end Ryzen chips, leading users to expect its continued availability. However, AMD has officially confirmed that TSME is now exclusive to PRO CPUs, without clear communication on why this change occurred.

Users like Ben Kilpatrick have conducted investigations and found that older firmware versions allowed TSME on consumer CPUs, but newer versions disable it. Concerns revolve around whether this change was intentional or a firmware bug, with AMD declining to provide further clarification on the matter. The removal has been perceived as a betrayal by users who relied on this security feature.

How the story developed

All 3 articles
Quiet for 19 weekslast report 22 Jun3 articles2 outlets

3 articles from 2 outlets since 15 Jun. Quiet since 22 Jun. This was the first report.

Now15 Jun17181920212223241 NovFirst reportArs Technica · 15 Jun, 18:05Picked up againafter 6 days quiet
  • Mon 15 Jun, 18:05 UTC. Ars Technica, first report. AMD removes TSME from Ryzen CPUs, users express anger. This article, 1st of 3.
  • Tue 16 Jun, 08:20 UTC. SecurityOnline, its first report on the story. AMD silently disables TSME memory encryption on mid range Ryzen.
  • Mon 22 Jun, 19:40 UTC. Ars Technica. AMD restores memory encryption on Ryzen CPUs after user outcry.
  • No CVE
  • Larger: an outlet’s first report
  • Coverage over time
  • Quiet time, folded
Show all 3 articles as a list
  1. Mon 15 JunDay 01
    1. AMD removes TSME from Ryzen CPUs, users express anger18:05 · Ars Technica · First report · This article, 1st of 3
  2. Tue 16 JunDay 11
    1. AMD silently disables TSME memory encryption on mid range Ryzen08:20 · SecurityOnline

  3. Quiet for 6 days

    Mon 22 JunDay 71
    1. AMD restores memory encryption on Ryzen CPUs after user outcry19:40 · Ars Technica · Picked up again

Sources

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