CVE-2024-28127 is a vulnerability identified in the UEFI firmware of certain Intel processors, where improper input validation allows a privileged local user to escalate their privileges further. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a critical component responsible for initializing hardware and booting the operating system, and vulnerabilities here can undermine the entire system's security. This flaw specifically permits escalation of privilege, meaning an attacker who already has some level of privileged access (e.g., administrative or root) could exploit the vulnerability to gain higher privileges, potentially full control over the system firmware and hardware. The vulnerability requires local access and high privileges to exploit, with no user interaction needed, which limits remote exploitation but still poses a significant risk in environments where multiple users share systems or where insider threats exist. The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7 (high) reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as well as the complexity and scope of the vulnerability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the critical nature of UEFI firmware means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls, persist undetected, and compromise sensitive data or system operations. Intel and system manufacturers are expected to release firmware patches to address this issue, and affected organizations must prioritize these updates to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-28127 could be substantial, especially in sectors relying heavily on Intel processors and UEFI firmware, such as finance, government, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, enabling attackers to install persistent malware at the firmware level, bypass operating system security, and access or manipulate sensitive data. This undermines system integrity and availability, potentially causing operational disruptions. Insider threats or compromised privileged accounts pose a particular risk, as local privileged access is required for exploitation. The vulnerability could also affect supply chain security and cloud service providers using Intel hardware, impacting a broad range of customers. Given the high market penetration of Intel processors in Europe, the threat is widespread, and failure to patch could lead to increased risk of targeted attacks or advanced persistent threats leveraging this vulnerability.

Organizations should immediately inventory affected Intel processors and associated UEFI firmware versions to identify vulnerable systems. They must monitor Intel and OEM vendor advisories for firmware updates addressing CVE-2024-28127 and apply these patches promptly. Restricting privileged local access through strict access controls and monitoring is critical to reduce exploitation risk. Implementing robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting unusual privilege escalations or firmware tampering can aid in early detection. Employ hardware-based security features such as Intel Boot Guard and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to enhance firmware integrity verification. Regularly audit and limit administrative privileges, enforce multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts, and maintain comprehensive logging to support incident investigation. For cloud environments, coordinate with providers to ensure underlying hardware is patched. Finally, conduct security awareness training to mitigate insider threats and ensure rapid response capabilities are in place.