Intel is attempting to block benchmarks and performance tests from being shared on Linux platforms through a change to the terms of use found in a microcode update.
Linux distribution Debian has rejected Intel’s end-user license agreement for one of its recent microcode updates. There is a clause in the fine print that prevents “benchmark of comparison test results” from being published.
Intel’s update that is not yet implemented into Debian prevents malware from copying data from memory through the L1 Terminal Fault. Server CPUs received patches for this problem in July, while desktop CPUs have just recently received fixes.
According to Debian kernel driver engineer Henrique Holschuh, the operating system is ready for Intel’s patch, but will not be receiving it because of Intel’s new terms. Read more