CVE-2024-37969 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). It is classified under CWE-822, which pertains to untrusted pointer dereference. The vulnerability specifically affects the Secure Boot security feature, allowing a potential security feature bypass. Secure Boot is a critical security mechanism designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system boot process, protecting against rootkits and bootkits. An untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability in this context means that the system improperly handles pointers that can be controlled or influenced by an attacker, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code or bypassing security checks during boot. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating that the attack requires adjacent network access (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is needed (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 known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to its potential to undermine the Secure Boot process, which is foundational for system trustworthiness. The lack of available patches at the time of publication further increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be substantial. Secure Boot is widely deployed across enterprise and government systems to protect against firmware-level malware and unauthorized bootloaders. A successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass Secure Boot protections, enabling persistent, stealthy malware infections that are difficult to detect and remove. This could lead to severe confidentiality breaches, including theft of sensitive data, intellectual property, and personal information protected under GDPR. Integrity of systems could be compromised, allowing attackers to manipulate system behavior or escalate privileges. Availability could also be affected if attackers deploy destructive payloads or ransomware at a low level. Given the high reliance on Windows 10 in many European enterprises, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, the vulnerability could facilitate advanced persistent threats (APTs) and targeted attacks. The requirement for user interaction and adjacent network access somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with shared networks or where social engineering could induce user actions.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation approach: 1) Upgrade and patch: Although no patches were available at the time of disclosure, organizations should monitor Microsoft’s official channels closely and apply updates promptly once released. 2) Harden network segmentation: Limit adjacent network access by segmenting networks and restricting lateral movement opportunities, reducing the attack surface. 3) User awareness training: Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted content or devices that could trigger exploitation. 4) Enable and enforce Secure Boot policies: Use hardware-based security features such as TPM and enforce Secure Boot policies via Group Policy or management tools to detect anomalies. 5) Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting boot-level tampering or unusual firmware activity. 6) Regularly audit and verify Secure Boot configurations and logs to detect potential bypass attempts. 7) For critical systems, consider upgrading to supported Windows versions with ongoing security support to reduce exposure to legacy vulnerabilities.