CVE-2024-45774 identifies a security flaw in the grub2 bootloader's JPEG parser component. The vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds write caused by incorrect bounds checking of internal buffers when parsing specially crafted JPEG files. This memory corruption can lead to overwriting sensitive data structures within grub2, which may enable an attacker to bypass secure boot protections. Secure boot is a critical security feature that ensures only trusted software is loaded during system startup. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have local system access with high privileges (PR:H), and no user interaction is necessary (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning remote exploitation is not feasible without prior access. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The flaw could be leveraged to compromise the boot process integrity, potentially allowing persistent malware or rootkits to load undetected. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the risk remains significant due to the critical role of grub2 in system startup and security. The vulnerability affects grub2 versions prior to the release of a patch, which should be applied once available. The flaw was reserved in September 2024 and published in February 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Organizations using grub2, especially in environments enforcing secure boot, should prioritize remediation to prevent potential bypass of hardware-based security controls.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to system integrity and security, particularly in environments that rely on grub2 as the bootloader and enforce secure boot. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass secure boot protections, undermining the trustworthiness of the boot process and enabling persistent, stealthy malware infections. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and compromise of infrastructure. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that depend on secure boot for endpoint security are especially vulnerable. The requirement for local high-privilege access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or lateral movement by attackers could enable exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future attacks. The medium severity rating reflects the balance between the difficulty of exploitation and the potential high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

1. Apply official patches from grub2 maintainers or Linux distribution vendors as soon as they are released to address CVE-2024-45774. 2. Restrict local administrative access to systems using grub2 to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of exploitation by insiders or compromised accounts. 3. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems with secure boot enabled to detect unauthorized attempts to modify bootloader components or upload crafted JPEG files. 4. Use integrity verification tools to monitor grub2 binaries and configuration files for unauthorized changes. 5. Harden system boot configurations by disabling unnecessary features and limiting the processing of untrusted image files during boot. 6. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to bootloader tampering. 7. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on boot process security to identify and remediate weaknesses. 8. Educate system administrators about the risks associated with grub2 vulnerabilities and secure boot bypass techniques to improve operational security.