Zen 6 client CPUs may use RISC-V based security environment

A commit to the linux-firmware.git repository indicates that upcoming AMD Zen 6 client processors may feature a RISC-V based Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). The update adds version 4 of the AMD Platform Management Framework (PMF) trusted application for the 1AH_M80H platform, which identifies upcoming Zen 6 client silicon.

Image: Hardware Busters

The new PMF TA version uses a larger shared memory layout and supports up to 20 custom BIOS inputs. While the AMD Secure Processor, formerly known as the Platform Security Processor, has traditionally used an Arm Cortex-A5 core with TrustZone technology, reports say this commit only confirms that the PMF TA runs on a RISC-V based TEE. It is not clear if AMD is replacing the entire Arm-based security processor with RISC-V or if the RISC-V core is being used for specific trusted applications. AMD has not commented on the change.