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Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption

Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption

Written By Anoop C Nair
Last Updated May 20, 2026
Posted In Windows 11
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Key Takeaways:

  • Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability
  • YellowKey (Encryption Bypass) Exploits the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
  • Affects Windows 11, Server 2022, and Server 2025; Windows 10 is not impacted.
  • GreenPlasma (Privilege Escalation) Targets the Windows CTFMON service via arbitrary memory section creation.
  • Enables manipulation of trusted services and drivers to run unauthorized commands.

Let’s discuss Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption. Microsoft announced new unpatched zero-day vulnerabilities in Windows BitLocker. This new vulnerability significantlyhcompromise Microsoft’s ecosystem. There are 2 exploits are addressed which are critical BitLocker encryption bypass called YellowKey and a privilege escalation flaw named GreenPlasma.

Table of Contents

Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption

After the patch Tuesday update, Due to this vulnerability, a frustrated researcher escalated an ongoing dispute by dropping two severe zero-day exploits. Millions of enterprise and government devices are now exposed. Researcher controversially claims these are intentional backdoors, even naming internal Microsoft threat groups.

YellowKey BitLocker Bypass

Lets attackers with physical access bypass BitLocker full‑disk encryption in minutes. Exploits the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Affects Windows 11, Server 2022, and Server 2025; Windows 10 is safe due to different recovery architecture. Attackers can either use a USB stick with a specially named FsTx folder. Or copy exploit files into the EFI partition of the drive. Once rebooted into recovery, the exploit spawns a shell with unrestricted access.

Vulnerability TypeAffected SystemsKey Artifacts
Encryption BypassWindows 11, Server 2022/2025System Volume Information\FsTx directory
WinRE ExploitWindows 11, Server 2022/2025bootmgfw.efi manipulation
Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption – Table.1
Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption - Fig.1 - Creds to Cyber Security News
Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption – Fig.1 – Creds to Cyber Security News

GreenPlasma Privilege Escalation

Targets the Windows CTFMON service via arbitrary memory section creation. Allows manipulation of trusted services and drivers to run unauthorized commands. Current proof‑of‑concept requires a UAC prompt, but with further weaponization it could become silent and persistent.

Patch My PC
Vulnerability TypeAffected SystemsKey Artifacts
Privilege EscalationWindows 11, Server 2022/2025CTFMON Arbitrary Section Creation
Memory ManipulationWindows 11, Server 2022/2025SYSTEM-writable directory objects
Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption – Table.2
Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption - Fig.2 - Creds to Cyber Security News
Fix Critical Windows BitLocker Zero Day Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Bypass Encryption – Fig.2 – Creds to Cyber Security News

Fix Availability

Microsoft has released a fix via the KB5089549 cumulative update, but only for Windows 11 25H2 systems. Windows 10 and Windows Server users must wait for a future update.

Temporary Workaround

Admins are advised to remove the “Configure TPM platform validation profile for native UEFI firmware configurations” Group Policy setting before deploying the April 2026 updates, and ensure BitLocker bindings use the PCR7 profile.

Note :- Windows 10 and Server users remain affected until a future patch. Admins should apply the workaround to avoid recovery prompts.

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Author

Anoop C Nair has been Microsoft MVP for 10 consecutive years from 2015 onwards. He is a Workplace Solution Architect with more than 22+ years of experience in Workplace technologies. He is a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group Community leader. His primary focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM and Intune. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM,  Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security, Career, etc.

Written by

Anoop C Nair is Workplace Technology solution architect with 25+ years of experience in global enterprise organizations such as JP Morgan, Capgemini, etc. Microsoft Certified Trainer. Microsoft MVP from 2015 onwards for consecutive 11+ years! He also conducts Intune and modern workplace tech training for enterprise organizations. He is Blogger, Speaker, and Founder of HTMD Community and HTMD Conference. His main focus is on Device Management technologies like Intune, Windows, Cloud PC. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security.

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