CVE-2024-26184 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound) affecting Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (build 10.0.20348.0). The vulnerability arises from improper handling of integer values within the Secure Boot security feature, which is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system startup process. An integer overflow can cause unexpected behavior, allowing an attacker to bypass Secure Boot protections. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have low privileges (PR:L) and remote access (AV:A), and user interaction (UI:R) is necessary to exploit it. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), indicating that successful exploitation could lead to significant system compromise, including unauthorized code execution or persistence mechanisms that evade Secure Boot. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.8, reflecting a medium severity level due to the complexity of exploitation and required conditions. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is officially published and tracked. The integer overflow nature suggests that crafted inputs or data could manipulate internal counters or buffers, leading to security feature bypass. This vulnerability is particularly critical because Secure Boot is a foundational security mechanism in modern Windows Server environments, and bypassing it undermines the trustworthiness of the boot process and system integrity.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-26184 can be significant, especially for enterprises and critical infrastructure relying on Windows Server 2022. A successful exploit could allow attackers to bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially enabling persistent malware installation, rootkits, or unauthorized system modifications that survive reboots. This undermines the security posture of servers handling sensitive data, financial transactions, or critical services. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive corporate or personal data, while integrity violations could lead to unauthorized changes in system configurations or software. Availability could also be affected if attackers disrupt system startup or cause system instability. Given the medium CVSS score and required user interaction, the threat is moderate but should not be underestimated, particularly in environments where Secure Boot is a key security control. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and energy in Europe are at higher risk due to the critical nature of their services and the widespread use of Windows Server 2022 in these sectors.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches or updates for Windows Server 2022 as soon as they become available to address CVE-2024-26184. 2. Implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit remote access to Windows Server 2022 systems, reducing the attack surface. 3. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative and remote access accounts to mitigate the risk of low-privilege attackers escalating privileges. 4. Educate users and administrators about the risk of social engineering or phishing attacks that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 5. Regularly audit Secure Boot configurations and verify the integrity of boot components using trusted platform modules (TPM) and hardware-based attestation where possible. 6. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to boot processes and privilege escalation attempts. 7. Maintain comprehensive backups and recovery plans to restore systems in case of compromise. 8. Consider disabling unnecessary remote access protocols or services on Windows Server 2022 hosts to reduce exposure.