CVE-2025-48804 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-349, which pertains to the acceptance of extraneous untrusted data alongside trusted data. This flaw exists in the BitLocker encryption feature of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1507 (build 10.0.10240.0). BitLocker is designed to protect data confidentiality and integrity by encrypting volumes and preventing unauthorized access. However, this vulnerability allows an attacker with physical access to the device to bypass BitLocker's security mechanisms by exploiting the acceptance of untrusted data mixed with trusted data during the encryption or decryption process. The attacker does not require any privileges or user interaction, but must have physical access to the device, making it a physical attack vector. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.8 reflects a medium severity, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet, which increases the risk for organizations still running this legacy Windows 10 version. The vulnerability could allow attackers to decrypt or tamper with BitLocker-protected data, potentially leading to data breaches or system compromise. This issue highlights the risks of using outdated operating system versions and the importance of physical security controls to prevent unauthorized device access.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-48804 can be significant, particularly for those relying on BitLocker encryption to protect sensitive or regulated data. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of encrypted data, potentially exposing personal data, intellectual property, or critical business information. This could lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruption. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that use legacy Windows 10 systems with BitLocker are at heightened risk. The requirement for physical access limits remote exploitation but increases the threat from insider attacks, theft, or loss of devices. Since no patches are currently available, affected organizations face a window of vulnerability until remediation is possible. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but tangible risk that necessitates proactive mitigation, especially in environments where physical device security cannot be guaranteed.

1. Upgrade all systems running Windows 10 Version 1507 to the latest supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 versions where this vulnerability is not present. 2. Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to devices, including locked rooms, secure storage, and access logging. 3. Use full disk encryption solutions with updated versions and verified security patches to replace vulnerable BitLocker implementations. 4. Enforce endpoint security policies that detect and alert on unauthorized device access or tampering attempts. 5. Maintain an asset inventory to identify and prioritize remediation of legacy systems still running vulnerable Windows versions. 6. Educate employees on the risks of device theft and the importance of reporting lost or stolen hardware immediately. 7. Monitor security advisories from Microsoft for the release of patches or workarounds addressing this vulnerability. 8. Consider additional layers of encryption or data protection for highly sensitive data to mitigate risks from potential BitLocker bypasses. 9. Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on physical security and encryption controls. 10. Develop incident response plans that include scenarios involving physical compromise of encrypted devices.