CVE-2025-48003 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically affecting the BitLocker encryption feature. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-693, which relates to protection mechanism failures. BitLocker is a full disk encryption technology designed to protect data by providing encryption for entire volumes. This vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass BitLocker's security protections through a physical attack vector. The attack requires physical access to the device, enabling the attacker to circumvent the encryption safeguards that BitLocker provides. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C) shows that the attack requires physical access (AV:P), has low attack complexity (AC:L), requires no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (C:H/I:H/A:H). The scope remains unchanged (S:U). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability represents a significant risk because it undermines the fundamental protection mechanism of BitLocker, potentially exposing sensitive data on affected devices. No patches have been linked yet, which suggests that mitigation may rely on operational controls or updates pending from Microsoft. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where devices may be physically accessible to adversaries, such as in lost or stolen laptops or in scenarios where attackers can gain temporary physical access to systems.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for sectors that rely heavily on data confidentiality and integrity, such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. BitLocker is widely used in enterprise environments across Europe to secure endpoints and protect sensitive data at rest. A successful physical attack exploiting this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, data tampering, and disruption of services due to compromised device availability. This could result in regulatory non-compliance, particularly under GDPR, which mandates strict data protection measures. The breach of encrypted data could lead to significant financial penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Organizations with mobile workforces or those that allow devices to be used outside secure premises are at higher risk. Furthermore, the inability to immediately patch this vulnerability increases the window of exposure, necessitating enhanced physical security and monitoring controls.

Given the physical access requirement and the lack of an available patch, European organizations should implement layered mitigation strategies beyond standard patching. First, enhance physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage, access control policies, and surveillance. Second, enforce strict device management policies such as disabling boot from external media and enabling pre-boot authentication with strong PINs or TPM-based protections to reduce the risk of bypass. Third, implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious physical tampering or unauthorized access attempts. Fourth, maintain regular backups of critical data to enable recovery in case of compromise. Fifth, consider upgrading affected systems to newer Windows versions where this vulnerability is addressed or mitigated. Lastly, conduct user awareness training emphasizing the importance of device security and reporting lost or stolen devices promptly.