Sapphire Releases Security Firmware for Various Radeon RX 7000 Models
Sapphire has released firmware updates for eight Radeon RX 7000 models to address a security vulnerability identified in collaboration with AMD.
Sapphire has released firmware updates for a significant portion of the Radeon RX 7000 series. These updates are intended to address a security improvement identified jointly with AMD. While the specific technical details of the vulnerability and the nature of the threat remain undisclosed, Sapphire explicitly recommends that owners of affected graphics cards update their firmware to ensure security, stability, and proper operation.
Scope of the Update and Affected Models
The update is not limited to a single high-end model but covers a wide range of RDNA 3-based graphics cards. The list of eight models for which separate firmware updaters are available spans from the entry-level Radeon RX 7600 family to the high-end RX 7900 XTX. The affected models include:
Radeon RX 7600
Radeon RX 7600 XT
Radeon RX 7650 GRE
Radeon RX 7700 XT
Radeon RX 7800 XT
Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Radeon RX 7900 XT
Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Notably, the list does not include RDNA 2-based RX 6000 series or the current RDNA 4 (RX 9000) series. While this might suggest the vulnerability is specific to the RDNA 3 architecture, it remains unconfirmed, as Sapphire only lists its own supported products.
Firmware vs. Drivers: Understanding the Difference
It is crucial to distinguish between AMD Adrenalin driver updates and this firmware release. While standard AMD driver updates regularly include bug fixes and security patches, they do not replace the graphics card's firmware. The files provided by Sapphire are explicit Firmware-Updaters that operate at a lower level. Consequently, installing the latest Adrenalin driver will not automatically mitigate the vulnerability if the firmware itself remains outdated.
Since flashing firmware (which may involve VBIOS changes) is a sensitive operation, Sapphire provides separate downloads for each specific model. A universal updater is not provided, and attempting to use a firmware file intended for a different model can lead to hardware failure. Users must verify their exact GPU model and follow the provided instructions carefully.
Important Disclaimer
These updates are strictly for Sapphire products. Owners of Radeon cards from other partners, such as ASUS, ASRock, PowerColor, or XFX, should not attempt to use these files, even if their cards use the same AMD silicon. Differences in PCB layouts, power limits, and voltage parameters make using third-party firmware highly risky. It remains to be seen whether this issue is a fundamental flaw in RDNA 3 or a specific implementation detail unique to Sapphire's hardware.
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