CVE-2024-45781 is a vulnerability identified in grub2, the widely used bootloader for Unix-like systems. The issue stems from grub2's handling of symbolic link names on UFS (Unix File System) filesystems, where it fails to properly validate the length of the string input. This improper validation can cause a heap out-of-bounds write, a type of memory corruption where data is written outside the allocated buffer boundaries. Such memory corruption can lead to data integrity issues, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate or corrupt critical bootloader data structures. The consequence of this vulnerability is severe in the context of secure boot environments, as it may enable an attacker to circumvent secure boot protections, undermining the chain of trust that ensures only authorized code runs during system startup. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have local access with high privileges (PR:H). No user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), reflecting the potential for significant system compromise. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature suggests it could be leveraged in targeted attacks against systems relying on grub2 with UFS filesystems. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2024 and published in February 2025, with enrichment from CISA and Red Hat as the assigner. No patches or exploit indicators are currently listed, emphasizing the need for vigilance and prompt patching once available.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-45781 can be substantial, particularly in sectors where secure boot is critical, such as government, finance, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local high privileges to corrupt bootloader memory, potentially bypassing secure boot protections and enabling unauthorized code execution during system startup. This undermines system integrity and trust, possibly leading to persistent malware infections or rootkits that are difficult to detect and remove. Organizations using grub2 on systems with UFS filesystems are at direct risk, especially if these systems are part of secure environments enforcing strict boot integrity. The requirement for local privileged access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or attackers who gain elevated access through other means could exploit this flaw. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for high-impact attacks necessitates urgent attention. Data confidentiality, integrity, and availability could all be compromised, affecting business continuity and regulatory compliance under frameworks like GDPR.

1. Monitor vendor advisories closely and apply official patches or updates for grub2 as soon as they become available to address CVE-2024-45781. 2. Audit systems to identify those using grub2 with UFS filesystems and prioritize them for patching and monitoring. 3. Restrict local administrative access rigorously to minimize the risk of privilege escalation and exploitation by malicious insiders or attackers. 4. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems with secure boot enabled to detect anomalous activities related to bootloader modifications. 5. Consider deploying integrity verification tools that monitor bootloader and firmware components for unauthorized changes. 6. For environments where UFS is not required, evaluate the possibility of migrating to more commonly used and better-supported filesystems to reduce exposure. 7. Educate system administrators about the risks of this vulnerability and the importance of maintaining secure boot integrity. 8. Incorporate this vulnerability into incident response plans to ensure rapid containment if exploitation is detected. 9. Use system hardening best practices to reduce the attack surface, including disabling unnecessary local accounts and services. 10. Engage with security vendors and threat intelligence sources to stay informed about emerging exploit techniques related to this vulnerability.