CVE-2024-28899 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-121, affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The vulnerability specifically targets the Secure Boot security feature, allowing an attacker to bypass its protections. Secure Boot is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system startup process, preventing unauthorized code execution at boot time. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code with high privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 reflects its high severity, with an attack vector over the network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it could be weaponized rapidly. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for organizations to monitor updates closely. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to systems still running this older Windows 10 version, especially in environments where Secure Boot is a critical security control.

The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with high privileges. This can result in complete system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data (confidentiality), modification or deletion of critical files (integrity), and disruption or denial of service (availability). For European organizations, especially those in finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure sectors, the impact could be severe, leading to data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory non-compliance. Since Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release, some organizations may still rely on it for legacy applications, increasing their exposure. The network attack vector means attackers could exploit this remotely, increasing the threat surface. The absence of required privileges and user interaction further lowers the barrier for exploitation, making it a significant risk for enterprise environments.

1. Immediately inventory and identify all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) within the organization. 2. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available for this vulnerability. 3. Until patches are released, restrict network access to vulnerable systems using firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure. 4. Employ advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Disable or restrict remote access protocols and services on affected systems where possible. 6. Enforce strict Secure Boot configurations and verify Secure Boot integrity regularly. 7. Conduct security awareness training focused on recognizing signs of compromise related to boot-level attacks. 8. Plan for upgrading legacy systems to supported Windows versions to reduce future risk exposure. 9. Implement robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate potential data loss or system disruption.