Critical Patches Issued for Microsoft Products, August 12, 2025 – PATCH: NOW

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • SQL Server
  • Role: Windows Hyper-V
  • Azure Virtual Machines
  • Microsoft Office SharePoint
  • Microsoft Edge for Android
  • Microsoft Graphics Component
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 (on-premises)
  • Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
  • Windows Kernel
  • Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
  • Desktop Windows Manager
  • Windows File Explorer
  • Windows Push Notifications
  • Windows NTFS
  • Remote Access Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) EAP-TLS
  • Windows Win32K – GRFX
  • Windows Distributed Transaction Coordinator
  • Windows Win32K – ICOMP
  • Windows SMB
  • Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver
  • Remote Desktop Server
  • Windows DirectX
  • Windows Installer
  • Graphics Kernel
  • Windows Message Queuing
  • Windows Media
  • Windows PrintWorkflowUserSvc
  • Windows NT OS Kernel
  • Kernel Transaction Manager
  • Microsoft Brokering File System
  • Kernel Streaming WOW Thunk Service Driver
  • Storage Port Driver
  • Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS)
  • Windows Connected Devices Platform Service
  • Windows Remote Desktop Services
  • Azure File Sync
  • Microsoft Office Visio
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Office Word
  • Microsoft Office Excel
  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint
  • Azure Stack
  • Windows GDI+
  • Azure OpenAI
  • Windows Security App
  • Web Deploy
  • GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot’s Business Chat
  • Windows NTLM
  • Windows Kerberos
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux
  • Windows StateRepository API
  • Azure Portal

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low 

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution.

A full list of all vulnerabilities can be found in the Microsoft link in the References section.

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate patches or appropriate mitigations provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services and run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative rights) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
  • Remind all users not to visit untrusted websites or follow links/open files provided by unknown or untrusted sources. (M1017: User Training)
    • Safeguard 14.1: Establish and Maintain a Security Awareness Program: Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 14.2: Train Workforce Members to Recognize Social Engineering Attacks: Train workforce members to recognize social engineering attacks, such as phishing, pre-texting, and tailgating.
  • Use capabilities to prevent suspicious behavior patterns from occurring on endpoint systems. This could include suspicious process, file, API call, etc. behavior. (M1040: Behavior Prevention on Endpoint)
    • Safeguard 13.2 : Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Detection Solution: Deploy a host-based intrusion detection solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate and/or supported.
    • Safeguard 13.7 : Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Prevention Solution: Deploy a host-based intrusion prevention solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate and/or supported. Example implementations include use of an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) client or host-based IPS agent.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2025-Aug
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide

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Adapt your skills and master the tools you’ll need to thrive in an AI-powered world at a free Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day from Microsoft Learn.

Join us at Migrate and Modernize Your Apps for AI-powered Solutions and learn how to discover and assess your workloads and efficiently manage your cloud migration.

Learn how to migrate on-premises web apps to Azure App Service with Azure Migrate—plus, see how migration optimizes costs, enhances security, and boosts developer innovation.

You’ll explore how to use GitHub Copilot to identify and resolve migration challenges with its AI coding assistance. You’ll also discover ways to deliver improved customer experiences in Azure App Service using security, load balancing, autoscaling, and automated management capabilities. After completing this training, you’ll be eligible to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification at 50% off the exam price.

You’ll have the opportunity to: Gain the skills needed to migrate your apps smoothly, efficiently, and with minimal code changes. Learn how to monitor the health and scale the performance of your app to maintain reliability and minimize downtime.

Explore methods that help secure access to your app and manage app configuration and secrets. Chat with Microsoft experts—ask questions and find solutions to common app migration challenges. Join us at an upcoming two-part

Migrate and Modernize Your Apps for AI-powered Solutions event:
September 9, 2025
9:00 AM – 11:45 AM | (GMT-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
10:00 AM – 12:45 PM | (GMT-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
11:00 AM – 1:45 PM | (GMT-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
12:00 PM – 2:45 PM | (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

September 10, 2025
9:00 AM – 11:45 AM | (GMT-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
10:00 AM – 12:45 PM | (GMT-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)

Visit the Microsoft Virtual Training Days website to learn more about other event opportunities.
11:00 AM – 1:45 PM | (GMT-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
12:00 PM – 2:45 PM | (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Delivery Language: English
Closed Captioning Language(s): English