CVE-2024-26184 is a security vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows Server 2022, specifically version 10.0.20348.0. It is classified under CWE-190, indicating an integer overflow or wraparound issue. This vulnerability affects the Secure Boot feature, a critical security mechanism designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system boot process. The integer overflow flaw can be exploited to bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially allowing an attacker to execute unauthorized code with elevated privileges. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.8, categorized as medium severity, with the vector indicating that the attack requires adjacent network access (AV:A), high attack complexity (AC:H), low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, though the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and tracked by CISA. The integer overflow likely occurs during validation or processing of Secure Boot parameters, which could allow an attacker to manipulate boot configurations or load malicious bootloaders, undermining system trust and security guarantees. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments relying on Secure Boot for firmware and OS integrity verification, such as enterprise servers and cloud infrastructure.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-26184 could be significant, especially for those operating critical infrastructure, data centers, and cloud services running Windows Server 2022. A successful exploit could allow attackers to bypass Secure Boot protections, leading to unauthorized code execution at boot time, persistent malware infections, and potential full system compromise. This threatens confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing unauthorized modifications, and availability by potentially causing system instability or denial of service. Given the requirement for user interaction and high attack complexity, the immediate risk is moderated, but targeted attacks against high-value assets remain a concern. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and telecommunications could face operational disruptions and data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but delayed patching or inadequate security controls could increase exposure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-26184, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches or updates as soon as they become available to address the integer overflow vulnerability in Windows Server 2022. 2) Restrict network access to Windows Server 2022 systems, especially limiting adjacent network exposure, to reduce the attack surface. 3) Enforce strict user privilege management and minimize the number of users with low-level privileges that could be leveraged in exploitation. 4) Implement multi-factor authentication and robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious activities related to Secure Boot or bootloader modifications. 5) Conduct regular integrity checks of Secure Boot configurations and firmware to detect unauthorized changes. 6) Educate users about the risks of social engineering or phishing that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 7) Employ network segmentation and isolate critical servers to contain potential breaches. 8) Maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans tailored to firmware and boot-level compromises.