CVE-2024-45782 is a vulnerability identified in the HFS filesystem driver component of the GRUB bootloader. The issue occurs during the mounting process of an HFS volume when grub_fs_mount() reads the volume's name. The driver uses the unsafe strcpy() function to copy the volume name without validating its length, which can lead to a heap-based out-of-bounds write. This memory corruption can overwrite sensitive data structures within GRUB, potentially compromising the integrity of the bootloader. Since GRUB is responsible for loading the operating system and enforcing secure boot policies, this vulnerability may allow an attacker to bypass secure boot protections, undermining system trust and security. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector requiring local access and low privileges but no user interaction. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where HFS volumes are used, such as dual-boot systems with macOS or legacy Apple file systems. The flaw was reserved in September 2024 and published in March 2025, with no patches currently linked, indicating the need for vigilance and prompt patching once available.

The vulnerability can severely impact European organizations that use GRUB bootloader with HFS volumes, particularly in mixed OS environments involving macOS or legacy Apple file systems. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized modification of GRUB's internal data, allowing attackers to bypass secure boot protections. This undermines the integrity of the boot process, potentially enabling persistent malware or rootkits to load before the OS, evading detection by security controls. Confidentiality may be compromised if sensitive boot parameters or keys are corrupted or leaked. Availability could be affected if the bootloader becomes unstable or corrupted, causing system boot failures. Given the local access requirement, the threat is more relevant to insider threats or attackers with physical or remote local access. European enterprises in sectors with high security requirements, such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure, could face significant operational and reputational damage if exploited.

Organizations should monitor vendor advisories closely and apply patches or updates to GRUB and related filesystem drivers as soon as they become available. Until patches are released, restrict local access to systems, especially those using HFS volumes or dual-boot configurations involving macOS. Implement strict access controls and audit local user activities to detect suspicious behavior. Consider disabling or removing support for HFS volumes in GRUB if not required. Employ bootloader integrity verification tools and secure boot configurations to detect unauthorized modifications. Regularly back up bootloader configurations and system states to enable recovery from potential corruption. For environments where physical access cannot be fully controlled, consider hardware-based security modules or trusted platform modules (TPMs) to strengthen boot integrity. Finally, educate system administrators about the risks associated with this vulnerability and the importance of timely patching.