CVE-2025-55337 identifies a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 specifically related to BitLocker, the full disk encryption feature designed to protect data confidentiality and integrity. The root cause is an improper enforcement of behavioral workflow, classified under CWE-841, which refers to failures in enforcing the intended sequence of operations or security checks. This flaw allows an attacker with physical access to the device to bypass BitLocker protections, effectively circumventing encryption safeguards without requiring any user interaction or prior authentication. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), reflecting the physical attack vector (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H) but not availability (A:N). The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of disclosure. The lack of patch availability means organizations must rely on compensating controls. The vulnerability highlights a critical weakness in the enforcement of BitLocker’s security workflow, potentially allowing attackers to bypass encryption protections through physical manipulation or exploitation of the flawed workflow logic. This could lead to unauthorized data access or tampering on affected devices running Windows 11 25H2 build 10.0.26200.0.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the potential compromise of sensitive data protected by BitLocker on Windows 11 25H2 devices. Since the attack requires physical access, the threat is particularly relevant for laptops, tablets, and other portable devices that may be lost, stolen, or accessed in insecure environments. Confidentiality and integrity of data are at risk, which can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or compliance violations under GDPR and other data protection regulations. The inability to fully trust BitLocker’s protection could undermine organizational security postures, especially in sectors handling highly sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government. The absence of a patch increases the window of exposure, necessitating immediate operational mitigations. While availability is not affected, the breach of confidentiality and integrity can have severe reputational and financial consequences. Organizations with remote or mobile workforces are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, forensic investigations and incident response efforts may be complicated by the subtle nature of this bypass.

1. Enhance physical security controls to restrict unauthorized physical access to devices, including secure storage, locked facilities, and surveillance. 2. Implement strict device access policies, such as requiring multi-factor authentication for device login and disabling boot from external media to reduce attack vectors. 3. Use hardware-based security modules like TPM (Trusted Platform Module) with measured boot to strengthen BitLocker protections. 4. Monitor and audit physical access logs and device usage patterns to detect suspicious activities promptly. 5. Educate employees about the risks of device theft and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices immediately. 6. Consider additional encryption layers or endpoint protection solutions that can provide defense-in-depth until an official patch is released. 7. Prepare for rapid deployment of Microsoft patches once available by maintaining an up-to-date asset inventory and patch management process. 8. Limit the use of Windows 11 25H2 on devices handling highly sensitive data until the vulnerability is remediated. 9. Employ network segmentation and data access controls to minimize the impact of any potential data compromise. 10. Engage with Microsoft support channels for updates and guidance on this vulnerability.