GNU grub2 tar integer overflow

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in GNU grub2. The affected element is an unknown function of the component tar Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to integer overflow. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2024-45780. The attack needs to be launched locally. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU grub2 (version unknown). It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown function of the component tar Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a integer overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-190. The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound, when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This can introduce other weaknesses when the calculation is used for resource management or execution control. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A flaw was found in grub2. When reading tar files, grub2 allocates an internal buffer for the file name. However, it fails to properly verify the allocation against possible integer overflows. It's possible to cause the allocation length to overflow with a crafted tar file, leading to a heap out-of-bounds write. This flaw eventually allows an attacker to circumvent secure boot protections.

The advisory is available at bugzilla.redhat.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2024-45780 since 09/08/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/18/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 216508 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : grub2 (SUSE-SU-2025:0588-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (216508), EUVD (EUVD-2025-5590) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0396). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Affected

• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Avamar
• Open Source Grub
• Red Hat OpenShift
• IBM QRadar SIEM

Productinfo

Vendor

• GNU

Name

• grub2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.gnu.org/

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Entryinfo

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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