Microsoft Addresses New Threats and Advances Security
In March 2025, Microsoft released critical security updates and made significant moves to combat emerging threats in the cybersecurity space. We analyzed how these events relate to the broader cybersecurity landscape and how to mitigate similar risks.
In March 2025, Microsoft released security patches addressing 56 new CVEs across its products, including Windows, Office, Azure, .NET, Remote Desktop Services, DNS Server, and Hyper-V. With the inclusion of third-party vulnerabilities, the total count reached 67 CVEs. Notably, six vulnerabilities were actively exploited at the time of release, emphasizing the urgency for organizations to apply patches immediately.
Key vulnerabilities addressed in this release
Among the most concerning vulnerabilities in this update are:
CVE-2025-26633 – Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Security Feature BypassThis vulnerability allows attackers to evade security protections by exploiting flaws in MSC file handling. Once executed, it can bypass file reputation checks, leading to unauthorized code execution. The flaw has been actively exploited by threat actors such as EncryptHub (aka Larva-208), impacting over 600 organizations.
CVE-2025-24993 & CVE-2025-24985 – Windows NTFS & Fast FAT File System Remote Code ExecutionAttackers can exploit these vulnerabilities when a victim mounts a specially crafted virtual hard drive (VHD), leading to system compromise. These flaws involve heap-based and integer overflow vulnerabilities, making them particularly dangerous when chained with privilege escalation exploits.
CVE-2025-24983 – Win32 Kernel Subsystem Privilege EscalationThis flaw allows attackers to execute malicious code with SYSTEM privileges, enabling full control over an affected system. It is actively exploited in combination with remote code execution vulnerabilities to gain persistent access to networks.
CVE-2025-24984 & CVE-2025-24991 – Windows NTFS Information DisclosureThese vulnerabilities expose sensitive memory contents, potentially leaking critical data. One requires physical access to exploit, which is unusual for an active attack, while the other is triggered when mounting a specially crafted VHD.
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics. Unpatched systems remain prime targets, making immediate patch deployment essential.
Check the full list of CVEs released by Microsoft for March 2025 (Source: Microsoft Website)
CVE | Title | Severity | CVSS | Public | Exploited | Type |
Microsoft Management Console Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability | Important | 7 | No | Yes | SFB | |
Windows Fast FAT File System Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | Yes | RCE | |
Windows NTFS Information Disclosure Vulnerability | Important | 4.6 | No | Yes | Info | |
Windows NTFS Information Disclosure Vulnerability | Important | 5.5 | No | Yes | Info | |
Windows NTFS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | Yes | RCE | |
Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7 | No | Yes | EoP | |
Microsoft Access Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | Yes | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Critical | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Remote Desktop Client Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Critical | 8.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Domain Name Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Critical | 8.1 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Critical | 8.1 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Critical | 8.1 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) Kernel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Critical | 8.4 | No | No | RCE | |
ASP.NET Core and Visual Studio Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7 | No | No | EoP | |
Azure Agent Installer for Backup and Site Recovery Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 6.7 | No | No | EoP | |
Azure Arc Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7 | No | No | EoP | |
Azure Command Line Integration (CLI) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 8.4 | No | No | EoP | |
Azure Promptflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 6.5 | No | No | RCE | |
DirectX Graphics Kernel File Denial of Service Vulnerability | Important | 4.4 | No | No | DoS | |
Kernel Streaming Service Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Kernel Streaming Service Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 8.4 | No | No | EoP | |
Kernel Streaming Service Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
MapUrlToZone Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability | Important | 4.3 | No | No | SFB | |
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Local Security Authority (LSA) Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Windows Cross Device Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.3 | No | No | EoP | |
Microsoft Windows Cross Device Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.3 | No | No | EoP | |
Microsoft Windows File Explorer Spoofing Vulnerability | Important | 7.5 | No | No | Spoofing | |
Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7 | No | No | RCE | |
Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
NTLM Hash Disclosure Spoofing Vulnerability | Important | 6.5 | No | No | Spoofing | |
NTLM Hash Disclosure Spoofing Vulnerability | Important | 6.5 | No | No | Spoofing | |
Synaptics: CVE-2024-9157 Synaptics Service Binaries DLL Loading Vulnerability | Important | N/A | No | No | RCE | |
Visual Studio Code Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.3 | No | No | EoP | |
Visual Studio Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.3 | No | No | EoP | |
Visual Studio Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.3 | No | No | EoP | |
WinDbg Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.5 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Windows exFAT File System Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Hyper-V Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Windows Hyper-V Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Windows Mark of the Web Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | SFB | |
Windows NTFS Information Disclosure Vulnerability | Important | 5.5 | No | No | Info | |
Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 8.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.1 | No | No | EoP | |
Windows Telephony Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | Important | 8.8 | No | No | RCE | |
Windows USB Video Class System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 6.6 | No | No | EoP | |
Windows USB Video Class System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 6.6 | No | No | EoP | |
Windows USB Video Class System Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability | Important | 4.3 | No | No | Info | |
Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability | Important | 7.8 | No | No | EoP | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1914 Out of bounds read in V8 | High | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1915 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory in DevTools | Medium | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1916 Use after free in Profiles | Medium | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1917 Inappropriate Implementation in Browser UI | Medium | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1918 Out of bounds read in PDFium | Medium | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1919 Out of bounds read in Media | Medium | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1921 Inappropriate Implementation in Media Stream | Medium | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1922 Inappropriate Implementation in Selection | Low | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Chromium: CVE-2025-1923 Inappropriate Implementation in Permission Prompts | Low | N/A | No | No | N/A | |
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Spoofing Vulnerability | Low | 5.4 | No | No | Spoofing |
* Indicates this CVE had been released by a third party and is now being included in Microsoft releases.
Cybercriminals Exploit Microsoft Teams for Ransomware
A troubling trend has emerged where cybercriminals are using Microsoft Teams as a tool to launch ransomware attacks. Attackers use social engineering techniques, impersonating IT support staff to gain access to victims’ networks. Once access is granted, they deploy ransomware, which encrypts critical data and demands a ransom for decryption.
The typical attack flow involves:
Phishing Campaigns: Attackers initiate the attack by sending a high volume of spam emails, often containing malicious links or attachments.
Teams Interaction: Once the attackers gain initial access, they contact the victim on Microsoft Teams, posing as IT personnel offering to fix an issue.
Ransomware Deployment: After convincing the employee to allow remote access, attackers deploy ransomware, encrypting files and locking the network.
This method highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics and the need for organizations to be aware of social engineering tactics.
Euroclear and Microsoft Partnership: Strengthening Financial Security
Microsoft has also formed a strategic partnership with Euroclear, a leading financial services company, to enhance its financial infrastructure. This collaboration focuses on integrating Microsoft’s cloud computing, AI, and analytics capabilities to improve operational efficiency and security.
Key elements of this partnership include:
AI and Cloud Computing: By utilizing Microsoft’s Azure platform, Euroclear aims to enhance its data processing capabilities, enabling more efficient operations and better client services.
Generative AI: AI-driven insights will help Euroclear improve security and resilience across its operations, particularly in handling sensitive financial data.
Secure Data Sharing: The partnership will foster a secure data-sharing environment that adheres to global compliance standards, ensuring data privacy while enhancing operational transparency.
This partnership signals the growing role of cloud technologies and AI in securing highly regulated sectors like finance, which face constant cybersecurity threats.
What This Means for cybersecurity Professionals
The evolving landscape of cybersecurity demands that companies (especially cybersecurity professionals) stay ahead of emerging threats. Microsoft’s March 2025 Patch Tuesday update and the exploitation of Microsoft Teams for ransomware attacks underscore the critical need for continuous monitoring, timely patching, and advanced threat detection systems.
Organizations should prioritize the following actions:
Timely Patch Management: Apply critical patches, especially those addressing zero-day vulnerabilities, as soon as they are available to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Employee Training: Conduct regular training sessions to ensure employees are aware of social engineering tactics and know how to handle suspicious interactions, particularly with IT support requests.
Ransomware Defense: Invest in endpoint protection and network detection solutions that can quickly identify and mitigate ransomware threats before they can cause significant damage.
Cloud Security: As more organizations adopt cloud solutions, ensuring robust security controls and compliance protocols are in place is essential to safeguarding sensitive data.
How to Create a Robust Management of These Risks
Managed EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response): Managed EDR services provide proactive monitoring and protection for endpoints, ensuring rapid detection and response to ransomware and other types of malware.
Managed XDR (Extended Detection and Response): For organizations that require a more integrated approach, the Managed XDR service provides holistic security monitoring across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments, detecting and responding to advanced threats.
Threat Intelligence and Incident Response: advanced threat intelligence services, helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats and providing expert incident response when attacks occur.
By integrating AI-driven tools and leveraging human expertise in network security, this combination ensures that your organization can quickly respond to and recover from the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Sources:
The Hacker News: Urgent: Microsoft Patches 57 Security Flaws, Including 6 Zero-Days
BleepingComputer: Microsoft March 2025 Patch Tuesday Fixes 7 Zero-Days, 57 Flaws