Microsoft’s May 2025 Patch Tuesday: A Mixed Bag of Fixes and Exploits
As we dive into the world of cybersecurity, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments and updates from major players like Microsoft. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of Microsoft’s May 2025 Patch Tuesday, which brings a mix of fixes for 72 flaws, including five actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Microsoft’s May 2025 Patch Tuesday is a significant update, with 72 flaws addressed, including six “Critical” vulnerabilities. The good news is that Microsoft has fixed several critical vulnerabilities, including five remote code execution vulnerabilities and one information disclosure bug. The bad news is that five of these flaws were actively exploited, and two were publicly disclosed zero-day vulnerabilities.
The Actively Exploited Zero-Days
Microsoft has identified five actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities, including:
- CVE-2025-30400: Microsoft DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-32701: Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-32706: Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-32709: Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-30397: Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability
These vulnerabilities give attackers SYSTEM privileges, allowing them to elevate privileges locally. Microsoft attributes the discovery of these flaws to various researchers and organizations, including the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, Benoit Sevens of Google Threat Intelligence Group, and the CrowdStrike Advanced Research Team.
The Publicly Disclosed Zero-Days
Microsoft has also identified two publicly disclosed zero-day vulnerabilities:
- CVE-2025-26685: Microsoft Defender for Identity Spoofing Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-32702: Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
These vulnerabilities allow an unauthenticated attacker to spoof another account or execute code locally. Microsoft attributes the discovery of these flaws to Joshua Murrell with NetSPI and an anonymous researcher, respectively.
Other Vendors’ Updates
In addition to Microsoft, other vendors have released updates and advisories in May 2025, including Ivanti, Fortinet, and M&S.
Actionable Insights
To stay ahead of the curve, it’s essential to prioritize patching and updating your systems regularly. Here are some actionable insights to keep in mind:
- Ensure you’re running the latest updates and patches for your Microsoft products.
- Implement robust security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to detect and prevent attacks.
- Educate your users about the importance of security and the risks associated with unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Consider implementing a vulnerability management program to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s May 2025 Patch Tuesday is a significant update, with a mix of fixes for 72 flaws, including five actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. It’s essential to prioritize patching and updating your systems regularly to stay ahead of the curve. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can reduce the risk of attacks and protect your organization from the latest threats.