A newly disclosed Secure Boot vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-3052, allows attackers to disable security protections on PCs and servers, paving the way for bootkit malware installation. This flaw, reported by security researchers in June 2025, bypasses UEFI Secure Boot—a critical defense mechanism against low-level attacks1. The discovery follows a series of similar vulnerabilities, including CVE-2024-7344 and the BlackLotus bootkit exploit (CVE-2023-24932), highlighting persistent risks in firmware security2, 3.
Technical Impact and Attack Vectors
CVE-2025-3052 disrupts Secure Boot’s chain of trust, enabling attackers to execute unsigned code during the boot process. Unlike traditional malware, bootkits like BlackLotus and LoJax persist in UEFI firmware, surviving OS reinstallation and disk wipes3, 4. The vulnerability specifically exploits improper validation of bootloaders, allowing malicious actors to replace legitimate components with compromised versions. Eclypsium’s research notes that outdated DBX revocation lists exacerbate the risk, as attackers can leverage previously revoked but unpatched bootloaders5.
Mitigation Strategies
Microsoft has released updates to address CVE-2025-3052, requiring administrators to:
- Add the “Windows UEFI CA 2023” certificate to Secure Boot’s DB allow list.
- Deploy an updated boot manager (e.g., Windows Boot Manager 10.0.20348.1542).
- Revoke vulnerable bootloaders via the DBX block list3.
However, firmware compatibility issues with HP, VMware, and Arm64 devices complicate patching. Enterprises are advised to audit firmware using tools like Eclypsium and enforce TPM 2.0 for hardware-based integrity checks5, 6.
Broader Context of UEFI Vulnerabilities
This flaw is part of a trend targeting Secure Boot. Earlier in 2024, the PKfail vulnerability affected 900+ UEFI devices, while CVE-2024-7344 allowed unsigned code execution via Microsoft-signed applications4, 2. ESET’s January 2025 research further identified widespread bypasses, underscoring the need for layered defenses6.
Relevance to Security Teams
For defenders, detecting bootkits requires monitoring boot services for runtime modifications or disabled security features like NX-bit. SentinelOne and similar EDR solutions can flag mismatched bootloaders (e.g., Linux bootloaders on Windows systems)5. Red teams should note that outdated DBX lists remain a viable entry point for persistence.
As of June 2025, patches for CVE-2025-3052 are available through Windows Update and vendor firmware releases. Organizations should prioritize this update alongside earlier mitigations for BlackLotus (CVE-2023-24932)3.
References
- “New Secure Boot flaw lets attackers install bootkit malware, patch now,” BleepingComputer, Jun. 2025.
- “New UEFI Secure Boot Vulnerability Could Enable Attackers to Load Malicious Bootkits,” The Hacker News, Jan. 2025.
- Microsoft Secure Boot Revocation Guidance, Mar. 2023.
- “PKfail Secure Boot Bypass Lets Attackers Install UEFI Malware,” WisePlant, Jul. 2024.
- “Threat Detection for Bootloaders and Bootkits,” Eclypsium, May 2025.
- “ESET Research Discovers UEFI Secure Boot Bypass,” ESET, Jan. 2025.
