It is hard to understate just how valuable and important source code is to developers/software manufacturers (and particularly so big names like Intel, Nvidia, AMD, etc.). It is, essentially, the technological equivalent of DNA which, in the wrong hands, can lead to more than a few unpleasant results. Put simply, nobody typically ever wants their source code to go public. Well, for a product that’s still even mildly relevant at least!
Following a Twitter post by user ‘@vxunderground‘, however, it is claimed that the full source code for Intel’s 12th-gen Alder Lake desktop processors has appeared online. – And, from what we can tell, this isn’t just idle hyperbole. It does appear to be very much out there in the wild with people already having a pretty hefty poke through it!
The source code to the Intel Alder Lake has been leaked online.
— vx-underground (@vxunderground) October 8, 2022
* Alder Lake CPU was released November 4, 2021
* Source code is 2.8GB (compressed)
* Leak (allegedly) from 4chan
* We have not reviewed the entirety of the code base, it is massive
Intel Alder Lake Source Code Leaks Online
From what we can tell so far, it appears that the source code leak is genuine and specifically seems to appertain to their desktop processor models. Although unclear as to exactly what it contains just yet (as there’s a small mountain of data which has still yet been thoroughly checked), it is already being said that there’s a lot of data in regard to BIOS configurations and also in regards to the individual chipset designs for Alder Lake CPUs, but this could very well just be the tip of the iceberg.
Given that this could potentially lead to security flaws being discovered in the chipset architecture, however, I think it goes without saying that this is exactly the kind of information that Intel wouldn’t want people like you and me looking though (not, incidentally, that I’d probably understand much of it).
Lenovo Could be the Source?…
With a number of references to Lenovo spotted within the leak, it has already led to speculation that they may have been the origin of the hack, but this is still completely unconfirmed. – For the moment though, this is going to give Intel a few headaches over the coming weeks.
For the moment though, we’ll keep you updated as more information on this supposed source code leak appears online. And rest assured, if this is genuine, it undoubtedly will!
What do you think? – Let us know in the comments!
