CVE-2024-1298 identifies a vulnerability in the TianoCore edk2 firmware, which is an open-source implementation of the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) specification widely used in modern computing platforms. The flaw occurs when the system enters the S3 sleep state, a low-power mode where system context is preserved in RAM. During this transition, a division-by-zero error can be triggered due to a UINT32 overflow caused by improper handling of certain calculations. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-369 (Divide By Zero), indicating a failure to properly validate divisor values before performing division operations. Exploitation requires local access with high privileges, as the attacker must manipulate the system state during sleep activation. The impact of this flaw is primarily on availability, as the division-by-zero can cause system crashes or reboots, disrupting normal operations. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.0, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, and no user interaction needed. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that mitigation depends on vendor response and firmware updates. Since edk2 is foundational firmware, this vulnerability affects a broad range of hardware platforms that implement TianoCore, including servers, desktops, and embedded systems. The vulnerability's scope is significant due to the critical role of firmware in system stability and security, but exploitation is limited by the requirement for privileged local access.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-1298 is potential loss of system availability, which can disrupt business operations, especially in environments requiring high uptime such as data centers, financial institutions, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Systems entering S3 sleep state may unexpectedly crash or reboot, leading to data loss or interruption of services. This could affect operational technology environments and enterprise IT infrastructure relying on hardware with edk2 firmware. The requirement for local privileged access reduces the risk of remote exploitation but raises concerns about insider threats or attackers who have already gained elevated privileges. The disruption caused by this vulnerability could lead to downtime costs, compliance issues with European regulations on service availability, and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations with strict power management policies or those using sleep states extensively may experience more frequent triggering of the vulnerability. Since no known exploits are in the wild, the immediate risk is moderate, but the potential for future exploitation exists if patches are delayed.

1. Monitor vendor advisories closely for firmware updates or patches addressing CVE-2024-1298 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict local privileged access to trusted personnel only, employing strict access controls and auditing to prevent unauthorized manipulation of system states. 3. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring abnormal system behavior during sleep state transitions, such as unexpected crashes or reboots. 4. Where feasible, disable or limit the use of S3 sleep states on critical systems until patches are applied, to reduce exposure. 5. Conduct regular firmware integrity checks and ensure secure boot mechanisms are enabled to prevent tampering with firmware components. 6. Educate system administrators about the risks associated with local privilege escalation and the importance of minimizing privileged user exposure. 7. For environments with high availability requirements, implement redundant systems and failover mechanisms to mitigate potential downtime caused by this vulnerability. 8. Maintain comprehensive logging of system power state changes and investigate anomalies promptly.