A recent Windows update, meant to fix a two-year-old security vulnerability, has led to significant problems for users running dual-boot devices with both Windows and Linux. Specifically, those attempting to boot into Linux are encountering a disturbing error message: “Something has gone seriously wrong.”
Widespread Impact Across Linux Distributions #
Users of various Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Puppy Linux, are reporting this issue. According to Ars Technica, the problem arises from a patch Microsoft released during its latest Patch Tuesday. This patch addresses a vulnerability in the GRUB bootloader, a critical component for systems that utilize Secure Boot. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-2601, has been known since 2022, but only recently received a fix.
The Unintended Consequences of the Patch #
Unfortunately, this update appears to have an unintended consequence: users with dual-boot systems can no longer access their Linux installations. The full error message that appears reads, “Verifying shim SBAT data failed: Security Policy Violation. Something has gone seriously wrong: SBAT self-check failed: Security Policy Violation.” Following this message, the affected device shuts down automatically.
Confusion Over Microsoft’s Documentation #
Adding to the frustration, Microsoft’s documentation on the patched vulnerability indicates that the update should not impact dual-boot systems. The documentation suggests that only older Linux distributions might encounter boot issues and recommends updating the outdated distro as a solution. However, the reality for many users has been far more complex.
Limited Solutions Available #
Currently, no simple solution exists for affected users. Removing the SBAT policy, wiping the Windows installation, or even resetting Secure Boot to its factory settings does not resolve the issue. The only known workaround is to disable Secure Boot, install the latest version of the Linux distribution, and then re-enable Secure Boot.
Awaiting a Response from Microsoft #
As of now, Microsoft has not officially responded to the reports of dual-boot issues following the August 2024 Patch Tuesday update. For those who rely on both Windows and Linux, this issue presents a significant disruption, and users are eagerly awaiting a more permanent fix.
