Intel Corp. has released a new software patch to address one of the Spectre vulnerabilities that have plagued the synonymous chip maker since they were revealed in early January.

The patch, described technically as a “microcode update,” is being offered to original equipment manufacturers and partners for Kaby Lake and Coffee Lake-based platforms, along with Skylake-based platforms. The patch covers the sixth, seventh and eighth generation of Intel Core chips along with Intel Core X-series processors and Intel Xeon processors.

Patches for Broadwell, Haswell and Ivy Bridge computer processing units are said to be forthcoming as well.

The patch specifically addresses the Spectre variant two vulnerability, an issue that allows attackers to persuade a processor’s branch predictor to make a bad prediction. It can then be used to infer the value of data stored, giving a hacker information they should not have access to. The release to device manufacturers means that users will have to wait for their device or software makers to pass on the patch via their own releases.

Intel will be hoping that the new patch won’t be as troubled as its last attempt to fix what has become a black eye for a company that has otherwise always had a positive brand. The first attempt to patch the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities started rolling out in December, prior to the public disclosure of the vulnerabilities. But it was withdrawn Jan. 22 because of side effects, including a high number of system reboots.

Microsoft Corp., which had passed on the patch to Windows users via its monthly Patch Tuesday release, was forced to issue an emergency patch Jan. 29 to disable Intel’s first attempt to address the problem.

The ongoing drama surrounding both the Meltdown and the Spectre vulnerabilities may end up costing Intel dearly. A Feb. 18 report noted that the chipmaker now faces 35 lawsuits, including 32 class action lawsuits. Among other things, they accuse Intel executives or directors of failing in their duties to shareholders by delaying disclosure of the breach as well as failing to act on insider trading.

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