Optical Side-Channel Probing of the Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAP) on AMD 7-Series FPGAs

Summary

According to a researcher report "Optical Side-Channel leakage of internal partial reconfiguration port on AMD 7-Series FPGAs", using contactless optical backside probing on an AMD 7-Series FPGA could allow an attacker with physical access and specialized failure-analysis equipment to recover plaintext partial-bitstream data as it crosses the Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAP) during Partial Reconfiguration, defeating bitstream-encryption schemes that decrypt in the Programmable Logic. AMD recommends maintaining good physical security practices and keeping systems closed unless needed for maintenance and repairs by authorized personnel.

Affected Products and Mitigation

The researcher demonstrated the issue on an AMD XC7A200T (Artix-7) FPGA. AMD believes the same exposure applies, in principle, to other AMD 7-Series and Zynq-7000 devices that decrypt bitstreams in the Programmable Logic and reconfigure through the ICAP.  This is a physical optical side-channel attack that requires unrestricted backside access to the silicon die and access to specialized failure-analysis-class equipment. Such access is outside the threat model assumed for AMD 7-Series FPGA bitstream-confidentiality protections.

Customer-actionable mitigations:

• Maintain strong physical security of systems containing AMD 7-Series FPGAs and treat physical possession of the device as out-of-scope for bitstream-confidentiality guarantees.
• For deployments with elevated physical-attack risk, consider tamper-evident or tamper-responsive enclosures and conformal coatings/potting that impede depackaging and backside access to the die.

Acknowledgement 

AMD thanks the following for reporting and engaging in coordinated vulnerability disclosure:

• External Researcher: Antonio Saavedra

DISCLAIMER
The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, it may contain technical inaccuracies, omissions and typographical errors, and AMD is under no obligation to update or otherwise correct this information. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this document, and assumes no liability of any kind, including the implied warranties of noninfringement, merchantability or fitness for particular purposes, with respect to the operation or use of AMD hardware, software or other products described herein. Any computer system has risks of security vulnerabilities that cannot be completely prevented or mitigated. No license, including implied or arising by estoppel, to any intellectual property rights is granted by this document. Terms and limitations applicable to the purchase or use of AMD's products are as set forth in a signed agreement between the parties or in AMD's Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. CVE and the CVE logo are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Third party content may be licensed to you directly by the third party that owns the content and is not licensed to you by AMD. ALL LINKED THIRD-PARTY CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT A WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. USE OF SUCH THIRD-PARTY CONTENT IS DONE AT YOUR SOLE DISCRETION AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL AMD BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY THIRD PARTY CONTENT. YOU ASSUME ALL RISK AND ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY ARISE FROM YOUR USE OF THIRD-PARTY CONTENT.

© 2026 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.