CVE-2024-37984 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-121, discovered in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability specifically targets the Secure Boot security feature, which is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system startup process. By exploiting this buffer overflow, an attacker can bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.4, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring no privileges (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means an attacker could fully compromise the affected system, gaining control over sensitive data and system operations. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a critical concern. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for monitoring updates from Microsoft. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2024 and published in July 2024, reflecting recent discovery and disclosure. The Secure Boot bypass could undermine the trustworthiness of the boot process, potentially allowing persistent malware or rootkits to evade detection and maintain control over the system.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-37984 can be severe, particularly for those relying on Windows 10 Version 1809 in environments where Secure Boot is a critical security control. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of business operations, and potential deployment of persistent malware. Critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government agencies that depend on secure boot mechanisms for system integrity are at heightened risk. The vulnerability's ability to bypass Secure Boot undermines a foundational security layer, increasing the likelihood of sophisticated attacks that evade traditional detection methods. Additionally, organizations with legacy systems that have not been upgraded or patched are more vulnerable, potentially exposing a broad attack surface. The local attack vector means that insider threats or attackers with physical or local network access could exploit this vulnerability without user interaction, raising concerns about internal security policies and endpoint protection measures.

1. Prioritize upgrading affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched version of Windows 10 or later, as Microsoft typically provides security fixes in newer releases. 2. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for the release of patches addressing CVE-2024-37984 and apply them immediately upon availability. 3. Restrict local access to critical systems by enforcing strict access controls, including limiting administrative privileges and using strong authentication mechanisms. 4. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts targeting Secure Boot or kernel-level processes. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on legacy systems to identify and remediate outdated software versions. 6. Employ hardware-based security features such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and ensure Secure Boot configurations are correctly enforced and monitored. 7. Educate IT staff and security teams about the risks associated with legacy Windows versions and the importance of timely patch management. 8. Consider network segmentation to isolate legacy systems and reduce the risk of lateral movement in case of compromise.