CVE-2024-45775 is a vulnerability identified in the grub2 bootloader, specifically within the grub_extcmd_dispatcher() function. This function calls grub_arg_list_alloc() to allocate memory for grub's argument list but fails to verify if the memory allocation was successful. When the allocation fails, a NULL pointer is passed to the parse_option() function, which processes it without validation. This leads to a NULL pointer dereference causing grub to crash during the boot process. In rare scenarios, this flaw can corrupt the Interrupt Vector Table (IVT) data, potentially impacting system stability or boot integrity. The vulnerability requires local access with high privileges to exploit, no user interaction is needed, and the attack complexity is high due to the need for specific conditions causing memory allocation failure. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.2 (medium severity), reflecting limited confidentiality and integrity impact but significant availability impact due to boot failures. No public exploits are known at this time. The flaw highlights a classic unchecked return value issue in memory management within a critical system component, emphasizing the importance of robust error handling in bootloaders.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-45775 is on system availability, as exploitation can cause grub to crash, leading to failed boots or system downtime. This is particularly critical for servers and infrastructure that rely on grub2 for booting Linux-based systems. In rare cases, corruption of IVT data could lead to unpredictable system behavior or require recovery efforts. The vulnerability requires local high-privilege access, so it is less likely to be exploited remotely but poses a risk from insider threats or compromised accounts. Organizations running critical infrastructure, cloud services, or data centers with Linux systems using grub2 could face operational disruptions. The limited impact on confidentiality and integrity reduces the risk of data breaches but does not eliminate the risk of denial of service. Given the widespread use of grub2 in Linux environments across Europe, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors including finance, government, healthcare, and manufacturing.

1. Apply vendor patches or updates for grub2 as soon as they become available to address the unchecked memory allocation return value. 2. Implement monitoring of system boot logs and error messages to detect early signs of grub crashes or memory allocation failures. 3. Restrict local high-privilege access to trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication and access controls to reduce exploitation risk. 4. Conduct regular audits of grub configurations and memory usage to identify potential conditions that could trigger allocation failures. 5. Use system integrity verification tools to detect any corruption of IVT or bootloader components. 6. Prepare recovery procedures for boot failures, including rescue media and backup bootloader configurations, to minimize downtime. 7. Engage with Linux distribution maintainers and security teams to stay informed about patches and advisories related to grub2 vulnerabilities.