CVE-2024-37971 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-121, found in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The vulnerability specifically targets the Secure Boot security feature, which is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system boot process. By exploiting this buffer overflow, an attacker can bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially allowing execution of unauthorized code during system startup. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.0 (high), reflecting the vulnerability's significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is adjacent (AV:A), meaning the attacker must have local network access or local user access, but no privileges are required (PR:N). User interaction is required (UI:R), indicating that the attacker needs to trick a user into performing some action to trigger the exploit. The scope is unchanged (S:U), so the impact is limited to the vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no patches have been released yet. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2024 and published in July 2024. The absence of patches and the critical nature of Secure Boot make this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments relying on Windows 10 1809 for secure boot integrity.

The vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass Secure Boot, undermining a fundamental security mechanism that protects systems from boot-level malware and rootkits. This can lead to unauthorized code execution with potentially elevated privileges, complete system compromise, and persistent malware infections that are difficult to detect or remove. For European organizations, especially those in critical infrastructure, government, finance, and healthcare sectors, this could result in severe data breaches, operational disruptions, and loss of trust. The requirement for user interaction and local access somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments where users may be targeted with social engineering or malicious insiders exist. The lack of patches increases exposure time, and the high CVSS score indicates a significant threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

1. Immediately identify and inventory all systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) within the organization. 2. Restrict local user access to sensitive systems and enforce strict user privilege management to minimize the risk of exploitation. 3. Educate users about the risks of social engineering and the need to avoid executing untrusted code or clicking suspicious links that could trigger the vulnerability. 4. Disable legacy boot modes and enforce Secure Boot policies via firmware settings to reduce attack surface. 5. Monitor system logs and security alerts for unusual activity related to boot processes or local user actions. 6. Prepare to deploy patches or updates from Microsoft as soon as they become available, and test them in controlled environments before wide deployment. 7. Consider upgrading affected systems to newer Windows versions that do not have this vulnerability. 8. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior during boot or local user activity. 9. Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 10. Regularly back up critical data and verify recovery procedures to mitigate impact of potential attacks.