CVE-2024-28922 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). It is categorized under CWE-284, which relates to improper access control. Specifically, this vulnerability involves a security feature bypass in the Secure Boot mechanism. Secure Boot is a critical security feature 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 allows an attacker with low privileges (PR:L) and requiring user interaction (UI:R) to bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially leading to a compromise of system integrity. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.1, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is physical or local (AV:P), meaning the attacker must have physical or local access to the affected system. The attack complexity is low (AC:L), and the scope is unchanged (S:U). The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability but has a high impact on integrity (I:H), meaning an attacker could alter system components or boot processes. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability is significant because Secure Boot is a foundational security control in modern Windows systems, and bypassing it can facilitate persistent malware infections or rootkits that are difficult to detect or remove. Given that Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release, systems still running this version may be at increased risk if not updated or mitigated appropriately.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be substantial, especially in sectors relying on legacy Windows 10 Version 1809 deployments, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. A Secure Boot bypass could allow attackers to install persistent malware or rootkits that evade traditional detection mechanisms, potentially leading to long-term system compromise and data integrity issues. This could disrupt business operations, compromise sensitive data integrity, and undermine trust in IT systems. Organizations with strict compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, NIS Directive) may face regulatory consequences if such vulnerabilities are exploited and lead to data manipulation or operational disruptions. Additionally, the requirement for local or physical access limits remote exploitation but raises concerns for environments with shared or less physically secure access, such as public sector offices or educational institutions. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time. The medium CVSS score reflects the moderate risk, but the high integrity impact means that successful exploitation could have serious consequences for system trustworthiness and security posture.

1. Upgrade or patch: Although no patches are currently linked, organizations should monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply any forthcoming updates promptly. 2. Upgrade Windows versions: Migrate systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to supported, up-to-date Windows versions where Secure Boot implementations are hardened and vulnerabilities are patched. 3. Physical security controls: Enhance physical security measures to restrict unauthorized local access to devices, including locked server rooms, secure workstations, and controlled access policies. 4. Endpoint protection: Deploy advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting boot-level malware or rootkits that may exploit Secure Boot bypasses. 5. Secure Boot configuration: Verify Secure Boot is enabled and properly configured in UEFI firmware settings to reduce attack surface. 6. User training: Educate users about the risks of physical access attacks and the importance of not interacting with suspicious prompts or devices. 7. Audit and monitoring: Implement system integrity monitoring and boot process logging to detect anomalies indicative of Secure Boot bypass attempts. 8. Asset inventory: Identify and document all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to prioritize remediation efforts.