CVE-2025-55332 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-841 (Improper Enforcement of Behavioral Workflow) affecting Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 (build 10.0.26200.0). The flaw resides in the BitLocker encryption feature, which is designed to protect data confidentiality by encrypting drives. The vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker with physical access to a device to bypass BitLocker protections by exploiting improper enforcement of the expected behavioral workflow within the BitLocker system. This means that certain security checks or sequences that BitLocker relies on to maintain encryption integrity can be circumvented, enabling unauthorized access to encrypted data without requiring authentication or user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), with an attack vector of physical access (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of this report. The vulnerability highlights a critical weakness in the physical security assumptions of BitLocker, emphasizing the need for comprehensive physical device security in addition to software protections.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data stored on devices running Windows 11 Version 25H2 with BitLocker enabled. Organizations that rely heavily on BitLocker for data protection, especially those with portable or remotely used devices, could face data breaches if attackers gain physical access. This is particularly concerning for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure where data confidentiality is paramount. The inability to fully trust BitLocker’s enforcement workflow could undermine compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, which mandates strong data security measures. Although availability is not impacted, the potential for unauthorized data access could lead to reputational damage, financial loss, and regulatory penalties. The medium severity rating reflects the requirement for physical access, which limits the attack scope but does not eliminate the risk in environments with less stringent physical security controls.

1. Enforce strict physical security controls including secure storage, access restrictions, and surveillance for devices running Windows 11 25H2 with BitLocker enabled. 2. Disable BitLocker auto-unlock features on removable drives and ensure that pre-boot authentication is enforced. 3. Implement tamper-evident seals or hardware security modules (TPM) to detect and prevent unauthorized physical access. 4. Regularly audit and monitor device access logs and physical security policies to detect suspicious activity. 5. Educate employees on the risks of physical device theft or tampering and enforce policies for secure handling of devices. 6. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical data to mitigate impact in case of compromise. 7. Monitor Microsoft advisories closely for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 8. Consider additional encryption layers or endpoint protection solutions that can provide defense-in-depth beyond BitLocker.