CVE-2024-37969 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 17763.0). The flaw allows an attacker to bypass the Secure Boot security feature, which is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the boot process. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of pointers that can be manipulated by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or alter system behavior during boot. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.0, indicating high severity, with an attack vector of adjacent network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because Secure Boot is a critical security control preventing unauthorized code execution at system startup. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on July 9, 2024, and no patches have been linked yet, emphasizing the need for vigilance. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for organizations still operating Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older release but may remain in use in some environments due to legacy application dependencies or delayed upgrade cycles.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized code execution during system boot, complete compromise of system integrity, and potential persistent footholds for attackers. The bypass of Secure Boot undermines a fundamental hardware-rooted security mechanism, increasing the risk of advanced persistent threats and malware infections that are difficult to detect or remove. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on Windows 10 Version 1809 are particularly vulnerable. The attack requires no privileges but does require user interaction and network adjacency, which means phishing or social engineering combined with network access could facilitate exploitation. The potential impact includes data breaches, operational disruption, and loss of trust. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, exploitation could result in significant financial and reputational damage.

1. Prioritize upgrading affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched version of Windows 10 or Windows 11 to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, implement strict network segmentation and limit network access to systems running the vulnerable OS version, especially restricting access to adjacent network segments. 3. Employ robust user awareness training to reduce the risk of user interaction-based exploitation, focusing on phishing and social engineering prevention. 4. Monitor network traffic and system logs for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts targeting Secure Boot or boot process anomalies. 5. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting boot-level tampering or unauthorized code execution. 6. Maintain an inventory of systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to ensure rapid identification and remediation. 7. Once Microsoft releases patches, apply them promptly following testing in controlled environments. 8. Consider deploying hardware-based security features such as TPM and enabling Secure Boot enforcement policies where possible to strengthen defenses.