The x86/x64 instruction set complexity hasn't been
helpful in reducing the
security vulnerability of software running on those architectures, either.
The multiple parallel pipelines that make possible speculative execution of
a number of branches before associated decisions are computed, have
resulted in the whole new class of security vulnerabilities such as
Meltdown, Foreshadow, and Spectre. This isn't limited to x86/x64, however,
as the most recent multicore ARM processors have also fallen victim to such
issues, they've just been late to the game as the most advanced (and
complex) features have been pursued (somewhat for me-too marketing
purposes), so fewer families/generations have been affected.
yes, it's a problem even for the IBM POWER9 (~PPC64/LE) partially
funded by DARPA
here (1) Elisabeth reported a post that summarizes what is wrong with Spectre
(1)
http://www.downthebunker.xyz/wonderland/reloaded/bazaar/viewtopic.php?f=33&…