CVE-2025-48800 is a vulnerability identified in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809, specifically affecting the BitLocker drive encryption feature. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-693, which relates to protection mechanism failures. BitLocker is designed to protect data by providing encryption for entire volumes, preventing unauthorized access to data on lost or stolen devices. However, this vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass BitLocker's security protections through a physical attack vector. The CVSS 3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 6.8, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is physical (AV:P), meaning the attacker requires physical access to the device. The attack complexity is low (AC:L), and no privileges or user interaction are required (PR:N, UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H, I:H, A:H), meaning successful exploitation could lead to full compromise of data confidentiality, integrity, and system availability. The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability arises from a failure in the protection mechanism of BitLocker, which could be due to improper implementation or design flaws allowing bypass of encryption safeguards when an attacker has physical access to the device. This type of vulnerability is critical in environments where physical device security cannot be guaranteed, such as mobile or remote work scenarios. Since Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release, many organizations may have upgraded, but legacy systems and devices may still be in use, especially in enterprise environments with long upgrade cycles.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on BitLocker for endpoint data protection. Organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR must ensure data confidentiality and integrity; a successful physical attack bypassing BitLocker could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the regulatory environment. The physical attack requirement limits remote exploitation but increases risk in scenarios where devices are lost, stolen, or accessed by insiders with physical access. This vulnerability undermines trust in BitLocker as a security control, potentially forcing organizations to reconsider their encryption and device security strategies. Additionally, the lack of a patch at the time of publication means organizations must rely on compensating controls until an official fix is available. The medium severity score reflects the balance between high impact and the requirement for physical access, but the overall risk remains substantial for organizations with mobile or physically exposed assets.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including secure storage, access logging, and device tracking. 2) Implement multi-factor authentication for device access and BitLocker recovery keys to add layers beyond physical possession. 3) Regularly audit and update device encryption policies, ensuring that all devices are running supported and patched versions of Windows; consider upgrading from Windows 10 Version 1809 to later versions where this vulnerability is addressed. 4) Use hardware-based security modules such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) with PIN or startup key requirements to strengthen BitLocker protection. 5) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious physical access or tampering attempts. 6) Educate employees on the risks of device loss and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices immediately. 7) Maintain strict control and monitoring of recovery keys, ensuring they are stored securely and access is limited. 8) Until a patch is released, consider additional encryption layers or alternative encryption solutions for highly sensitive data. These measures collectively reduce the risk of successful exploitation and limit the potential damage from physical attacks.