Last revised: 12/09/2025

Preface: Intel’s Xeon 6 processors represent a fascinating shift in the landscape of data center computing, moving toward a hybrid architecture that optimizes for different workloads with specialized cores. The P-core version, codenamed Granite Rapids, built entirely of Performance-cores for heavy compute and AI workloads, is accurate and highlights a significant technological leap in server processing capabilities. This new generation aims to deliver unprecedented performance and efficiency to meet the increasing demands of modern data centers, which are grappling with massive data volumes and the computational intensity of artificial intelligence.

Background: Intel® TDX Connect is specifically highlighted as a key feature on Intel® Xeon® 6 Processors with P-cores (Performance-cores) to enable confidential computing for connected devices like GPUs. Intel’s P6 architecture, as part of modern high-speed systems using PCI Express (PCIe), relies on SERDES (Serializer/Deserializer) technology, especially for PCIe 3.0 and newer, to handle high data rates through serial links, though P6 itself refers to older processor generations, the concept of using SERDES for high-speed I/O like PCIe is fundamental, with newer Intel CPUs using advanced SerDes for PCIe 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 to achieve massive bandwidth for AI and data centers.

Does the Intel P6 use PCIe SERDES?

Yes, Intel’s P6 architecture, as part of modern high-speed systems using PCI Express (PCIe), relies on SERDES (Serializer/Deserializer) technology, especially for PCIe 3.0 and newer, to handle high data rates through serial links, though P6 itself refers to older processor generations, the concept of using SERDES for high-speed I/O like PCIe is fundamental, with newer Intel CPUs using advanced SerDes for PCIe 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 to achieve massive bandwidth for AI and data centers.

Vulnerability details: [CVE-2025-9612] Improper validation of integrity check value in PCI Port for some Intel® platforms with Integrity and Data Encryption (IDE) for PCIe Base Specification Revision 5 or higher within Ring 0: Bare Metal OS may allow an information disclosure and escalation of privilege. System software adversary with a privileged user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires no user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (low), integrity (low) and availability (none) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.

Official announcement: Please refer to the link for details –

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01409.html