CVE-2025-1118 is a security vulnerability identified in the GRUB2 bootloader, specifically related to its dump command functionality. GRUB2 is a widely used bootloader in many Linux-based systems, responsible for loading the operating system kernel during system startup. The vulnerability arises because the dump command is not properly blocked when GRUB2 is operating in lockdown mode, a security feature designed to restrict certain operations to protect system integrity. This flaw allows an attacker with high privileges (local authenticated user) to execute the dump command and read arbitrary memory contents. By exploiting this, an attacker can extract sensitive information such as cryptographic signatures, salts, and other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), and high privileges (PR:H) but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is primarily on confidentiality (C:H), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or vendor advisories have been linked yet. The vulnerability was published on February 19, 2025, and assigned by Red Hat. Since GRUB2 is a critical component in the boot process, this vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to bypass certain security mechanisms by extracting sensitive cryptographic material, which might be leveraged in further attacks such as privilege escalation or cryptographic key extraction.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-1118 can be significant, particularly for those relying on Linux-based systems that use GRUB2 as their bootloader. The ability to extract sensitive memory contents, including cryptographic keys and salts, undermines the confidentiality of critical security parameters. This could facilitate subsequent attacks such as unauthorized decryption of data, bypassing secure boot protections, or escalating privileges within the system. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, may face increased risks of data breaches or compliance violations if this vulnerability is exploited. However, the requirement for high privileges and local access limits the attack surface to insiders or attackers who have already compromised user accounts with elevated rights. The lack of impact on integrity and availability reduces the risk of system disruption but does not diminish the confidentiality concerns. Overall, this vulnerability poses a moderate threat to the security posture of European enterprises, particularly those with sensitive data and critical systems running vulnerable GRUB2 versions.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1118 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all systems using GRUB2 as the bootloader, focusing on Linux servers and workstations. 2) Monitor vendor advisories closely for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 3) Implement strict access controls to limit local administrative privileges only to trusted personnel, reducing the risk of exploitation by insiders or compromised accounts. 4) Employ system integrity monitoring and audit logging to detect unusual usage of GRUB commands or unauthorized access attempts. 5) Consider enabling additional hardware-based security features such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and secure boot mechanisms that can complement lockdown mode protections. 6) For high-security environments, evaluate the feasibility of restricting physical access to machines and using full disk encryption to protect data at rest, mitigating the impact of memory disclosure. 7) Conduct regular security training and awareness programs to ensure administrators understand the risks associated with local privilege misuse and the importance of applying security updates.