CVE-2024-37988 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). It is categorized under CWE-130, which relates to improper handling of length parameter inconsistencies. Specifically, this vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass the Secure Boot security feature. 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 boot-level malware. The vulnerability arises due to improper validation or handling of length parameters in the Secure Boot implementation, which can lead to inconsistent processing and ultimately allow an attacker to circumvent Secure Boot protections. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.0, indicating a high severity level. The vector string (AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) shows that the attack requires adjacent network access (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but requires 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). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with network access to a system running the affected Windows 10 version, potentially allowing them to bypass Secure Boot protections, leading to full system compromise including execution of unauthorized code at boot time, persistence, and evasion of security controls.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and government agencies relying on Windows 10 Version 1809 in their infrastructure. Bypassing Secure Boot undermines the trusted boot process, enabling attackers to deploy persistent bootkits or rootkits that evade detection by traditional security tools. This can lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and public administration are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and operations. The requirement for adjacent network access and user interaction means that targeted phishing or local network attacks could be vectors for exploitation. Since Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release, some organizations may still be using it due to legacy application dependencies, increasing their exposure. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability demands urgent attention.

1. Immediate assessment of the presence of Windows 10 Version 1809 systems within the organization is critical. Identify and prioritize systems that are exposed to adjacent network access and have users likely to interact with untrusted content. 2. Although no official patches are currently linked, organizations should monitor Microsoft security advisories closely for the release of a security update addressing CVE-2024-37988 and apply it promptly. 3. Implement network segmentation to limit adjacent network access to vulnerable systems, reducing the attack surface. 4. Enforce strict user awareness training to minimize risky user interactions that could trigger exploitation, such as opening suspicious links or files. 5. Consider upgrading affected systems to a more recent, supported Windows version where Secure Boot implementations are not vulnerable to this issue. 6. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous boot-level activities or unauthorized firmware modifications. 7. Review and harden Secure Boot configurations and firmware settings to ensure they are not misconfigured or weakened. 8. Employ application whitelisting and integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes at boot or system startup. These steps collectively reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation and limit potential damage.