CVE-2024-45776: 
Linux Debian vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2024-45776 is a security vulnerability in GRUB2's gettext module, discovered and disclosed on February 18, 2025. The vulnerability affects the grubmofileopen() function when reading language .mo files. The flaw exists in GRUB2's internal buffer allocation process, where it fails to verify integer overflow conditions (NVD, Red Hat CVE).

The vulnerability occurs in the grubmofileopen() function when processing language .mo files. The function fails to properly validate integer overflow conditions during internal buffer allocation. When calculating buffer sizes for translation data, the code does not implement proper bounds checking, which can result in both out-of-bounds reads and writes. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.7 (Medium) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (OSS Security).

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to multiple severe consequences. An attacker can potentially leak sensitive data through out-of-bounds reads and overwrite critical data through out-of-bounds writes. The most critical impact is the potential circumvention of secure boot protections, which could compromise the system's boot security. The vulnerability requires high privileges for exploitation but could be particularly dangerous in scenarios where GRUB is improperly configured (Security Online).

Full mitigation requires an updated shim with the latest Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) data. Unlike previous GRUB2 security incidents, this round of fixes will not involve an update to the UEFI revocation list (dbx). System administrators are advised to update GRUB2, shims, and other boot components as soon as updates become available from their respective vendors (Security Online).