CVE-2024-38010 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0) that involves improper handling of length parameter inconsistencies within the Secure Boot security feature, classified under CWE-130. Secure Boot is a critical security mechanism designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system startup process, protecting against boot-level malware and rootkits. The vulnerability arises when the system fails to correctly validate or handle length parameters, leading to a potential bypass of Secure Boot protections. This could allow an attacker with adjacent network access (AV:A) to execute a carefully crafted attack that circumvents Secure Boot, thereby undermining the system's integrity and potentially allowing unauthorized code execution at boot time. The attack complexity is low (AC:L), no privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly known and rated with a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.0, indicating a high risk. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention to mitigation strategies. This vulnerability is particularly critical because Secure Boot is a foundational security feature, and its compromise can lead to persistent and stealthy threats that are difficult to detect and remediate.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-38010 is significant due to the widespread use of Windows 10 Version 1809 in enterprise environments, especially in sectors like government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. A successful Secure Boot bypass can allow attackers to install persistent malware or rootkits that survive system reboots and evade traditional security controls, leading to potential data breaches, espionage, or disruption of services. The confidentiality of sensitive data could be compromised, system integrity undermined, and availability affected through system instability or denial-of-service conditions. Given the requirement for adjacent network access and user interaction, targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could facilitate exploitation. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity and foundational nature of the vulnerability mean that once exploited, remediation could be complex and costly. European organizations with legacy systems still running Windows 10 Version 1809 are particularly vulnerable, and the risk is amplified in environments where Secure Boot is a critical security control for compliance and regulatory requirements.

1. Monitor Microsoft security advisories closely and apply official patches or updates as soon as they become available for Windows 10 Version 1809 systems. 2. Restrict adjacent network access to vulnerable systems by implementing network segmentation and strict firewall rules to limit exposure. 3. Employ enhanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous boot processes or unauthorized firmware modifications. 4. Educate users to recognize and avoid phishing or social engineering attempts that could trigger the required user interaction for exploitation. 5. Where feasible, upgrade affected systems to a more recent and supported version of Windows that is not vulnerable to this issue. 6. Conduct regular integrity checks of boot components and firmware to detect early signs of compromise. 7. Implement multi-factor authentication and robust access controls to reduce the risk of lateral movement post-exploitation. 8. Maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans tailored to boot-level compromise scenarios.