Management Engine or Manageability Engine (ME or IME) is a tiny microcontroller coprocessor integrated within all Intel's own chipsets that provide the necessary functionality needed for remote corporate asset management, Boot Guard, SGX EPID provisioning and attestation services, platform trust technology (PTT), anti-theft (AT) technology, and protected audio visual path (PAVP) services. ME was originally introduced into the chipset in 2006 and has been present on all Intel mainstream mobile and desktop products ever since.

Overview

Intel's Management Engine (ME or IME) is a coprocessor implemented as a dedicated microcontroller embedded into the same die as the chipset. ME provides all the necessary functionality needed to provide many of Intel's advanced security and many of the root of trust services. ME was originally integrated into the MCH as bar of Intel's 965 Express chipset which were introduced back in June 2006. Since the 2009, with the introduction of the Core family, ME can be found in all PCHs, meaning it is present on all Intel embedded, mobile, and desktop parts.

Secure Coprocessors

• Intel: Management Engine (ME)
• AMD: Secure Processor (SP)
• Apple: Secure Enclave Processor (SEP)

References

• REcon 2014, "Intel Management Engine Secrets", Igor Skochinsky.
• Libreboot, https://libreboot.org/faq.html#intelme, Frequently Asked Questions
• me_cleaner