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A cyber consultant inspects a corporate desktop after receiving numerous complaints. What type of vulnerability can include instances where processors inside the computer allow malicious programs to steal data during processing?

A.End-of-life
B.Virtualization
C.Firmware
D.Legacy

User Dmccabe
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A vulnerability that lets malicious programs steal data during processing due to the processor's operations is known as a firmware vulnerability, with Spectre and Meltdown being notable examples. These security risks can be mitigated through system updates and hardware vendor patches.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of vulnerability that includes instances where processors inside the computer allow malicious programs to steal data during processing is known as firmware vulnerability. These vulnerabilities often exist because of the complex nature of modern processors, which perform speculative execution and other advanced operations that can inadvertently expose sensitive data. One well-known example is the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities that were revealed in 2018, affecting millions of devices worldwide. In this context, these security loopholes enable attackers to exploit the mechanisms that speed up data processing to access information that should be secure. To mitigate these risks, it is critical to maintain up-to-date systems and apply patches from hardware vendors that address such vulnerabilities.

User Scharrels
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