CVE-2024-38065 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 10.0.17763.0). This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-122, which pertains to improper handling of memory buffers leading to overflow conditions. Specifically, the flaw affects the Secure Boot security feature, which is designed to ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the system startup process. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to bypass Secure Boot protections, potentially enabling the execution of unauthorized or malicious code early in the boot sequence. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C) reveals that the attack requires physical access (AV:P), but no privileges or user interaction are needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level if exploited. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2024 and published in July 2024. Given that Secure Boot is a critical security control for preventing unauthorized firmware and OS loaders, bypassing it could have serious consequences, including persistent malware infections that are difficult to detect or remove.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially for environments relying on Windows 10 Version 1809, which is an older but still in-use operating system in many industrial, governmental, and enterprise settings. The ability to bypass Secure Boot undermines the trusted boot process, potentially allowing attackers to implant rootkits or bootkits that persist through system reboots and evade traditional endpoint security measures. This could lead to severe confidentiality breaches, data integrity violations, and system availability disruptions. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and finance that depend on secure boot mechanisms for device trustworthiness are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, organizations with strict compliance requirements under GDPR and NIS Directive could face regulatory and reputational consequences if such an exploit leads to data breaches or operational disruptions.

Given the absence of an official patch at the time of this report, European organizations should implement layered mitigations: 1) Restrict physical access to systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 to trusted personnel only, as the attack vector requires physical proximity. 2) Employ hardware-based security features such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and ensure Secure Boot is enabled and properly configured to detect anomalies. 3) Consider upgrading affected systems to a more recent and supported Windows version where this vulnerability is likely addressed. 4) Monitor system firmware and boot logs for unusual activity indicative of Secure Boot bypass attempts. 5) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting low-level bootkits or rootkits. 6) Implement strict asset management to identify and isolate legacy systems still running vulnerable OS versions. 7) Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing firmware and boot-level compromises. 8) Stay updated with Microsoft advisories for forthcoming patches and apply them promptly once available.