An FTP server in Taiwan that could be publicly accessed, leaked the source code of AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS, including AMI's unique UEFI signing test key. The utterly irresponsible act of holding such sensitive data on public FTPs is suspected to be committed by motherboard vendor Jetway. In doing so, the company may have compromised security of every motherboard (across vendors) running AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS. Most socket LGA1155 and FM2 motherboards, and some socket AM3+ motherboards run AMI Aptio.

Among the leaked bits of software include the source code of AMI BIOS, Aptio, and AMI's UEFI test signing key, which is used by all its clients to sign their BIOS updates. Signing ensures that BIOS updating software verifies the update is genuine, and coming from the motherboard manufacturer. With this key out, malware developers can develop malicious BIOS updates, hack motherboard vendors' customer support websites, and replace legitimate BIOS updates with their malicious ones. Control over the system BIOS could then give hackers access to most ring-0 OS functions.

American Megatrends Inc. (AMI), a leader in BIOS and computing innovations, announced the launch of Aptio V, the newest version of its acclaimed Aptio UEFI BIOS firmware, at a seminar titled "Touch the Future with Aptio V" in Taipei, Taiwan. As the "next generation of UEFI BIOS," Aptio V features support for the latest UEFI specifications, making the latest features such as Secure Boot for enhanced platform security and EDK II support - together with all of the previous experience, value adds and improvements of Aptio 4 - available to manufacturers and developers.

Providing development tools that are easy to use and promote efficiency has always been a core goal of the world's leading BIOS company, American Megatrends. As new computing platforms enter the market at a rapid pace, the ability of these systems to incorporate new functionality and ensure full compatibility between software and hardware components have become key factors influencing BIOS development. AMI's new flagship UEFI BIOS solution, Aptio V, solves both of these challenges with ease - positioning it as the most powerful development solution for BIOS on the market today.