CVE-2024-28919 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) that pertains to a protection mechanism failure, specifically a Secure Boot security feature bypass. Secure Boot is a critical security component designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system startup process, preventing unauthorized or malicious code from executing before the operating system loads. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-693, which relates to protection mechanism failures, indicating that the security controls intended to enforce system integrity can be circumvented. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.7, categorized as medium severity, with the vector indicating that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and high privileges (PR:H). No user interaction is necessary (UI:N), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component without impacting other components. The exploitability is limited by the requirement for high privileges and local access, which reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication (April 9, 2024), and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with administrative rights on a vulnerable system to bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially enabling the execution of unauthorized code during boot, undermining system integrity and trustworthiness.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for entities relying on Windows 10 Version 1809 in critical infrastructure, government, finance, healthcare, and industrial control systems. Bypassing Secure Boot can lead to persistent malware infections, rootkits, or bootkits that are difficult to detect and remove, compromising system integrity and confidentiality. This can result in data breaches, operational disruptions, and loss of trust in IT systems. Since the vulnerability requires local high-privilege access, the initial compromise vector might be through insider threats, lateral movement after initial breach, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges. Organizations with legacy systems or delayed patching cycles are at higher risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but non-negligible risk, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation to prevent potential exploitation that could severely impact availability and data integrity.

1. Upgrade and Patch Management: Organizations should prioritize upgrading from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a more recent, supported Windows version where this vulnerability is resolved. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, monitor Microsoft advisories for patches or workarounds addressing CVE-2024-28919 and apply them promptly upon release. 2. Restrict Administrative Access: Since exploitation requires high privileges and local access, strictly enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting administrative rights to essential personnel only and using role-based access controls. 3. Harden Endpoint Security: Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring boot processes and detecting unauthorized changes to boot configurations or firmware. 4. Secure Physical Access: Ensure that physical access to critical systems is controlled and monitored to prevent unauthorized local access. 5. Implement Secure Boot Validation: Regularly verify Secure Boot status and integrity using system management tools and scripts to detect anomalies. 6. Network Segmentation and Monitoring: Segment networks to limit lateral movement opportunities and monitor for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation or boot process tampering. 7. Incident Response Preparedness: Develop and test incident response plans that include scenarios involving Secure Boot bypass and firmware-level compromises. 8. User Awareness and Training: Educate IT staff about the risks associated with legacy systems and the importance of maintaining secure boot configurations.