Apple recently announced the discovery of a new GPU vulnerability in their M2 MacBook Air, which could potentially affect other Apple devices as well. This vulnerability, known as LeftoverLocals, has also been found in GPUs manufactured by Qualcomm, AMD, and Imagination.
The LeftoverLocals vulnerability allows attackers to access residual data from GPU processing. In a demonstration, researchers showcased how an AI chatbot query could exploit this vulnerability, enabling attackers to listen in on another user's interactive session across different processes or containers.
In response to this issue, Qualcomm has already released a firmware patch and strongly advises its users to apply it as soon as possible. Furthermore, AMD is actively working on its own fix, which is expected to be rolled out in March.
Regarding Apple's response, the company has confirmed that they have addressed the LeftoverLocals vulnerability in their latest M3 and A17 processors, which were launched in the second half of 2023. These processors can be found in the iPhone 17 Pro smartphones and the new MacBook Pro laptops. However, it has also been confirmed that the M2-powered MacBook Air and iPhone 12 models are indeed affected by the vulnerability. The extent to which other Apple hardware may be affected remains uncertain, potentially putting hundreds of millions of users at risk.
It is important to note that this particular attack requires physical access to the targeted Mac, which means the risk is somewhat lower compared to purely online attacks. Thus, maintaining good physical security of your hardware can significantly mitigate this vulnerability. However, it is crucial to consider that hackers could potentially use this exploit as part of a larger, multi-step attack that could cause even more harm.
Undoubtedly, Apple is already hard at work developing a security update to address this issue promptly. Once the update is released, it is highly recommended to install it immediately, ensuring the highest level of protection for your Apple devices.
For further updates on the latest news in the world of Mac, iPhone, and the App Store, be sure to read Forbes' weekly Apple Loop news digest. Stay informed and stay secure!
