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Can you imagine the havoc you could create if you compromise microsoft+samsung+vmware+intel and push malware embedded in software+firmware updates that combine the (also a HN top post right now) Intel ME hack and perhaps a couple of the (also HN top post right now) broadcom wifi chip exploits?

Will we end up with a setup where every system within range of a wifi chip is instantly and persistently compromised? Could we even recover from that?

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>Will we end up with a setup where every system within range of a wifi chip is instantly and persistently compromised?

＊every system within range of a wifi chip and connected to a power source

A power source such as a non-removable battery in many laptops and phones? Doesn't Intel ME run even when the system is powered down?

Maybe, but the wifi isnt on. That couldnt be hidden.

If by "isn't on" you mean "turned off by the OS", that wouldn't do anything. Intel ME operates despite whatever the OS is doing. You'd have to physically disconnect the modem, put the device in a faraday cage, completely remove power source, etc.

Yes, so many/most phones and laptops would be compromised. But there are also plenty of computers in every form that aren't plugged into anything at all and completely invulnerable.

It would be devastating but nothing we couldn't rebuild from.

You mean like desktops? That are unplugged? How many of those do you think are sitting around? How old is the version of Windows on them do you think?

If your recovery strategy is "drive as fast as you can to the thrift shop" then I don't know how effective "rebuilding" would be. This is fucking terrifying.

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