The University of Birmingham was able to hack Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) with a homemade device that can be assembled for as little as $ 30. The experts used their device to control the voltage of the processor core.
The new hacking method is a continuation of the work that an international team of researchers started back in 2019. Then the attack vector was named Plundervolt , but at the end of 2019 Intel eliminated the vulnerability.
Now, for $ 30, specialists have assembled a VoltPillager (PDF) device capable of monitoring CPU voltage. An attack using this device requires physical access to the computer’s hardware. When creating the device, the researchers used the following materials:
- Teensy 4.0 development platform ($ 22).
- Two bus drivers / buffers ($ 1).
- Two SOT IC adapters ($ 13).
