CVE-2025-54912 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416, found in the BitLocker component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 (build 17763.0). Use-after-free bugs occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. In this case, an authorized local attacker can exploit the flaw to elevate their privileges on the system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, meaning an attacker with legitimate access can reliably exploit it to gain higher privileges. The impact covers confidentiality, integrity, and availability, allowing attackers to bypass security controls enforced by BitLocker, potentially decrypting or tampering with protected data. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's presence in an older Windows 10 version still deployed in some organizations poses a significant risk. The flaw was publicly disclosed on September 9, 2025, with no patches currently linked, emphasizing the need for prompt mitigation. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects the high severity, considering the local attack vector, required privileges, and the critical nature of the affected component. BitLocker is widely used for disk encryption, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for environments relying on it to protect sensitive data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-54912 can be severe. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with local access to escalate privileges, potentially gaining administrative control over affected systems. This can lead to unauthorized access to encrypted data, bypassing BitLocker's protections, and enabling data theft or manipulation. The integrity of systems can be compromised, allowing attackers to install persistent malware or disrupt operations, affecting availability. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on BitLocker for endpoint security are at heightened risk. The vulnerability undermines trust in disk encryption, increasing the risk of data breaches and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR and other European data protection laws. Additionally, since Windows 10 Version 1809 is an older release, organizations that have not upgraded may face increased exposure. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a limited window for proactive defense, but the potential for future exploitation remains high.

1. Prioritize upgrading affected systems from Windows 10 Version 1809 to a supported and patched Windows version, as Microsoft typically provides fixes in newer releases. 2. Apply any available security updates or patches from Microsoft immediately once released for this vulnerability. 3. Restrict local access to systems running Windows 10 Version 1809 by enforcing strict access controls, limiting administrative privileges, and using network segmentation to reduce the attack surface. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation activities and anomalous behavior related to BitLocker components. 5. Conduct regular audits of systems to identify and remediate outdated Windows versions and ensure compliance with security policies. 6. Educate users about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce policies to prevent unauthorized physical or remote access. 7. Consider additional encryption or security layers for sensitive data to mitigate risks if BitLocker protections are bypassed. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.