Linux vs Meltdown: Ubuntu gets second update after first one fails to boot

RV_ · January 11, 2018

Intel Chip Sets are defective in the millions. The x86 Intel Chip Sets which were originally developed only for Windows were adopted by all Macs in 2005, and since Linus Torvalds wrote Linux on his Windows hardware, as all Linux users do today save a few that do it on Macs, same hardware, effectively all computers running a modern OS are using the Windows x86 architecture that uses the defective chips. I am not sure about AMD systems yet.

Now Linux distributions get hit by Meltdown patch issues.

Excerpt:

"Canonical, the company that makes Linux distro Ubuntu, has re-released its Meltdown update for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Xenial users after the first attempt tripped up machines.

Canonical managed to get its fix for the Meltdown CPU bug out on Tuesday as scheduled, but was forced to issue a new release after discovering some 16.04 LTS Xenial users couldn't boot their machines once the update was installed.

Several users reported the same problem after installing Ubuntu 16.04 LTS with the kernel image 4.4.0-108, with some reverting to the previous working kernel to resolve the issue.

"Just got the Meltdown update to kernel linux-image-4.4.0-108-generic but this doesn't boot at all. It just hangs after grub," wrote one user in a bug report.

On Wednesday, Canonical posted a new security notice confirming the problem, as well as a second update with a new Linux kernel image, 4.4.0-109.

"USN-3522-1 fixed a vulnerability in the Linux kernel to address Meltdown (CVE-2017-5754). Unfortunately, that update introduced a regression where a few systems failed to boot successfully. This update fixes the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience," Ubuntu said in the new notice USN-3522-3."

The article with more and hot links is here: http://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-vs-meltdown-ubuntu-gets-second-update-after-first-one-fails-to-boot/?loc=newsletter_large_thumb_related&ftag=TREc64629f&bhid=19724681974700635514865380622813

Bill Joyce · January 12, 2018

Spectre is Intel only, Meltdown is Intel, AMD and ARM.

Another example of why it is best to wait a few days, if you can, to install a patch that was rushed out.

Edit: I guess I was wrong since AMD has now come out and said that a variant of Spectre does affect their chips.

RV_ · January 12, 2018

Bill,

As you know the only real fix is to but a new machine with new secure processors. And those are not here yet AFAIK.

I had my Surface Pro 4 do a firmware update last Tuesday with the patch day. It is an i78GB/256GB.

But the Surface Pro 3 had no firmware updates. It is an i5/4GB/128GB machine.

Let's keep an eye out and post whatever updates emerge from this. I am not sure if any of the patches from Last Tuesday's Windows patch day were aimed at them.

RV_ · January 13, 2018

Bill,

I guess I was lucky as all my systems six, took the updates fine and work fine. two of them have Atom Z3770 and a Z3735 SoCs, my Dell 27" AIO an i7 from late 2013, a newer i7 in the Surface Pro 4, two i5s in my wife's AIO Lenovo and the Surface Pro 3. So it is a wide spread of ages and chip sets.

AMD now knows which of its chip are affected. They are working with Microsoft while Microsoft is working with Intel.

Microsoft pulled the patches from last Tuesday's patch bundle because of adverse effects like spurious reboots and other negative effects.

Here's more from AMD more specific:

Excerpt:

"While the Meltdown attack largely only affects Intel chips, AMD revealed Thursday that its Ryzen and EPYC chips are affected by the two Spectre vulnerabilities.

It's developing "optional" microcode updates that will be delivered to customers and partners this week, with additional updates for older CPUs coming soon.

And Intel isn't alone in cleaning up buggy patches. Microsoft last week halted the latest Windows update carrying Meltdown and Spectre fixes for AMD systems after customers reported boot failures.

Microsoft said it had been provided incorrect documentation for some AMD chips for which it was developing patches.

AMD said it is working with Microsoft to resolve this issue, which affects Opteron, Athlon, and Turion X2 Ultra chips. Microsoft should resume distribution of the revised patches for AMD systems next week, according to AMD. Details can be found on Microsoft's support page for the AMD update."

That whole article with a lots of related hot links is here:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/meltdown-spectre-firmware-glitch-intel-warns-of-risk-of-sudden-reboots/?loc=newsletter_large_thumb_featured&ftag=TRE-03-10aaa6b&bhid=19724681974700635514865380622813

Bill Joyce · January 13, 2018

So far all of my systems, 5 Intel Windows 10 machines ranging from old Core Duo chips to a new i7, and a Linux machine with an i5, have taken their updates with no problems.