CVE-2024-37975 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-191 (Integer Underflow) affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). The flaw specifically targets the Secure Boot security feature, which is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system boot process. An integer underflow occurs when an arithmetic operation causes a value to wrap around below its minimum representable value, leading to unexpected behavior. In this case, the underflow can cause the Secure Boot mechanism to bypass critical security checks, effectively allowing an attacker to circumvent the integrity verification of boot components. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0, indicating high severity, with attack vector being adjacent network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant threat, especially for systems that rely on Secure Boot for protection against boot-level malware and rootkits. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2024 and published in July 2024, with no patches currently available, increasing the urgency for mitigation planning. The lack of patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls until updates are released.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-37975 is substantial. Secure Boot is a foundational security feature widely used to prevent unauthorized code execution during system startup. Bypassing this mechanism can enable attackers to install persistent, stealthy malware such as bootkits or rootkits that evade detection by traditional antivirus and endpoint security solutions. This can lead to data breaches, espionage, disruption of critical services, and loss of trust in IT infrastructure. Sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure operators are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on Windows 10 systems and the critical nature of their operations. The vulnerability's network-adjacent attack vector means that attackers could exploit it remotely within local networks, increasing the risk in enterprise environments with insufficient network segmentation. The requirement for user interaction slightly reduces the risk but does not eliminate it, as social engineering or phishing could facilitate exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score demands urgent attention to prevent future attacks.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply patches immediately once they become available for Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. 2. Until patches are released, restrict network access to vulnerable systems by implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules, especially limiting access to local network segments where Windows 10 1809 devices reside. 3. Employ multi-factor authentication and user training to reduce the risk of social engineering that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 4. Use hardware-based security features such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and enable additional boot integrity checks where possible to complement Secure Boot. 5. Consider upgrading affected systems to a supported and fully patched Windows version, as Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release and may lack ongoing security support. 6. Conduct regular integrity checks and monitoring for unusual boot behavior or unauthorized firmware changes. 7. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting boot-level anomalies. 8. Maintain robust incident response plans tailored to firmware and boot-level compromise scenarios.