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CVE-2024-45776: Out-of-bounds Write

Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2024-45776cvecve-2024-45776
Published: Tue Feb 18 2025 (02/18/2025, 19:25:45 UTC)
Source: CVE

Description

When reading the language .mo file in grub_mofile_open(), grub2 fails to verify an integer overflow when allocating its internal buffer. A crafted .mo file may lead the buffer size calculation to overflow, leading to out-of-bound reads and writes. This flaw allows an attacker to leak sensitive data or overwrite critical data, possibly circumventing secure boot protections.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/06/2025, 04:27:59 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2024-45776 is a vulnerability in the GRUB2 bootloader component, specifically in the grub_mofile_open() function responsible for reading language .mo files. The flaw arises due to improper verification of integer overflow during the allocation of an internal buffer. When a maliciously crafted .mo file is processed, the buffer size calculation can overflow, leading to out-of-bounds memory reads and writes. This memory corruption can allow an attacker to leak sensitive information from memory or overwrite critical data structures. Such overwrites may enable attackers to bypass secure boot protections or compromise the boot process integrity. The vulnerability requires local access with high privileges (PR:H) and does not require user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have some level of access to the system to exploit this. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as it can lead to data leakage, unauthorized modification of boot parameters, or system instability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the medium CVSS score of 6.7 reflects the significant risk posed by this vulnerability, especially in environments relying on secure boot to maintain system trust. The vulnerability affects GRUB2 versions prior to the patch release, though specific affected versions are not detailed in the provided information. The flaw is particularly critical in environments where secure boot is enforced to prevent unauthorized code execution during system startup.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-45776 can be substantial, especially for those relying on GRUB2 as their bootloader in servers, workstations, and embedded systems. The ability to bypass secure boot protections undermines the root of trust in system integrity, potentially allowing attackers to load unauthorized or malicious code early in the boot process. This can lead to persistent, stealthy compromises that evade traditional detection mechanisms. Confidential data leakage through out-of-bounds reads could expose sensitive information, including cryptographic keys or credentials stored in memory. Critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and energy in Europe, which often enforce strict secure boot policies, could face increased risk of targeted attacks exploiting this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations with compliance requirements around system integrity and data protection (e.g., GDPR) may face legal and reputational consequences if exploited. The requirement for local high-privilege access somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or maintain persistence.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate CVE-2024-45776, European organizations should: 1) Immediately identify and inventory systems using GRUB2 as the bootloader, prioritizing those enforcing secure boot. 2) Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates for GRUB2 as soon as they become available, ensuring that the integer overflow check in grub_mofile_open() is properly implemented. 3) Restrict local administrative access to trusted personnel only, employing strict access controls and monitoring to reduce the risk of exploitation by insiders or attackers with limited access. 4) Implement runtime integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to bootloader components or boot configuration files. 5) Conduct regular audits of bootloader configurations and language files (.mo files) to detect any unauthorized or suspicious modifications. 6) Employ hardware-based security features such as TPM and measured boot to complement secure boot protections and detect tampering. 7) Educate system administrators about the risks of loading untrusted language files or modifying bootloader components. 8) For critical systems, consider implementing multi-factor authentication for local administrative access to further reduce the risk of privilege escalation. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
redhat
Date Reserved
2024-09-08T01:57:12.947Z
Cisa Enriched
true
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 682cd0fc1484d88663aecc60

Added to database: 5/20/2025, 6:59:08 PM

Last enriched: 7/6/2025, 4:27:59 AM

Last updated: 7/27/2025, 11:04:13 AM

Views: 16

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