Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday delivers a hefty update – and with it, a barrage of vulnerabilities that IT professionals and Windows users need to quickly address. This month’s bulletin features 57 vulnerabilities – a volume comparable to last month’s release – with evidence of in-the-wild exploitation for as many as six of them, alongside public disclosure concerns. Let’s dive into the details and unpack what these security updates mean for your Windows environment.
Key highlights:
As always, staying informed and proactive is essential. With evidence of in-the-wild exploitation and public disclosure of certain flaws, neglecting these updates isn’t an option. Whether you’re managing enterprise environments or safeguarding personal systems, these patches reinforce a simple, yet vital, truth: security is a moving target. It’s time to lock down those systems and fortify your defenses.
This comprehensive update serves as both a technical briefing and a reminder that cybersecurity is an ongoing, ever-adapting field. Stay alert, patch promptly, and protect your Windows environment from the myriad threats lurking beneath the surface.
Source: IT Brief Australia March Patch Tuesday reveals 57 vulnerabilities
Overview of the March 2025 Patch Tuesday
Microsoft’s latest Patch Tuesday update for March 2025 reveals a total of 57 vulnerabilities. While a sizeable number by any measure, the true concern lies in the active exploitation witnessed in the wild for up to six of these vulnerabilities. Notably, this month marks the sixth consecutive Patch Tuesday where Microsoft has published zero-day vulnerabilities without initially classifying any as critical severity. Adding further urgency, six of the vulnerabilities are critical remote code execution (RCE) issues.Key highlights:
- Total vulnerabilities: 57 (excluding 10 browser-specific vulnerabilities released separately).
- In-the-wild exploitation: Confirmed evidence for up to six vulnerabilities.
- Zero-day trend: Sixth straight month without critically rated zero-day vulnerabilities at publication.
- Critical RCE: Six remote code execution vulnerabilities.
Deep Dive: NTFS and File System Vulnerabilities
Several vulnerabilities in the update target file systems, particularly NTFS and the Fast FAT file system driver. These issues highlight the inherent risks in older and sometimes overlooked components of Windows security.NTFS Vulnerabilities
- CVE-2025-24983 (Elevation of Privilege):
- Affected systems: Older Windows products.
- Details: An elevation of privilege flaw in the Win32 kernel subsystem that has been exploited in the wild.
- Impact: While Windows 11 and Server 2019 onwards appear unaffected, the vulnerability in legacy systems remains a significant concern. Successful exploitation can grant SYSTEM privileges, making prompt patching essential.
- CVE-2025-24984 (Information Disclosure):
- Attack vector: Physical media, specifically via a malicious USB drive.
- Details: Exploitation can lead to inadvertent exposure of heap memory into system logs (CWE-532). Although rated with a low CVSSv3 base score of 4.6 due to practical exploitation difficulties, the potential leakage of sensitive data makes this vulnerability important.
- Advisory note: It underscores the benefit of strict USB port controls and monitoring.
- CVE-2025-24991 (Out-of-Bounds Read):
- Attack vector: Mounting a malicious Virtual Hard Disk (VHD).
- Details: The vulnerability can lead to disclosure of small portions of heap memory. With evidence of exploitation by attackers, users are urged to exercise vigilance when mounting external disk images.
- CVE-2025-24993 (Heap-Based Buffer Overflow):
- Attack vector: Similar to the previous vulnerability – triggered when a user mounts a malicious VHD.
- Impact: Allows for potential local code execution. Despite the requirement for user interaction, the CVSSv3 base score of 7.8 indicates valuable reward potential for attackers, essentially paving the way to SYSTEM-level access.
- CVE-2025-24985 (Integer Overflow/Wraparound):
- Affected component: Windows Fast FAT file system driver.
- Details: Exploitation requires mounting a malicious VHD and can lead to code execution through integer overflow vulnerabilities. Evidence of exploitation has confirmed its risk level.
Application and Subsystem Vulnerabilities
Beyond file systems, Microsoft’s bulletin highlights vulnerabilities that affect key Windows applications and subsystems. These vulnerabilities demonstrate the multifaceted nature of modern security threats and the challenges in patching them effectively.Microsoft Management Console & Microsoft Access
- CVE-2025-26633 (Management Console Bypass):
- Details: After a prolonged period without zero-day issues in the Management Console, this week’s update has reintroduced a vulnerability. Exploitation requires environment preparation coupled with user interaction, such as opening a malicious file.
- Potential impact: Although the advisory does not detail the final outcome of exploitation, the ability to bypass security features in tools designed for system administration could allow attackers to craft custom management tools or exfiltrate privileged data.
- CVE-2025-26630 (Use-After-Free in Microsoft Access):
- Attack vector: Requires the user to open a specifically crafted malicious file.
- Details: Classified as a “remote-but-actually-local” vulnerability, it follows the well-known CWE-416 pattern. This weakness has been publicly disclosed, though Microsoft considers exploitation less likely – possibly due to control measures like the absence of the Preview Pane as an attack vector.
- Context: This vulnerability follows a series of Access issues seen in previous months and may hint at ongoing research and evolving threats from groups such as Unpatched.ai.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) and RDP Vulnerabilities
- CVE-2025-24084 (WSL2 Kernel Arbitrary Code Execution):
- Details: Despite no confirmed public disclosure or exploitation evidence, this vulnerability is ranked critical with a CVSSv3 score of 8.4. It warns of multiple attack vectors, including scenarios where user interaction might not be necessary.
- Advisory: The possibility of triggering via something as innocuous as a malicious email underlines the importance of patching even when active exploitation evidence is limited.
- CVE-2025-26645 (Malicious RDP Server Exploitation):
- Attack vector: The vulnerability affects clients connecting to RDP servers.
- Details: A malicious RDP server can facilitate remote code execution on a vulnerable client with little more than a connection attempt, relying on the CVSSv3 score of 8.8 to warn of its substantial risks.
- Security advice: This vulnerability is a reminder to carefully vet and monitor RDP servers, especially in environments where lateral movement through the network could prove disastrous.
Lifecycle and Future Support Considerations
In addition to the vulnerabilities, Microsoft’s update also includes critical product lifecycle news:- SQL Server 2019: Transitioning from mainstream to extended support effective February 28, 2025.
- Visual Studio App Center: Scheduled for retirement on March 31, 2025.
- Dynamics GP 2015: Exiting extended support on April 8, 2025.
A Call for Proactive Defense
This month’s update underscores a critical reality: attackers are continuously adapting to new and existing vulnerabilities, even in systems that many might consider hardened or legacy. Here are a few proactive measures to consider:- Apply Patches Promptly: Whether it’s an exploitation witnessed in the wild or a low base score vulnerability signaling potential risk escalation – timely patches are your first line of defense.
- Secure Legacy Systems: Even if newer versions like Windows 11 and Server 2019 remain unaffected by some vulnerabilities, older systems continue to be at risk. Ensure proper isolation and enhanced control measures are in place for legacy products.
- Monitor USB and External Device Usage: With physical attack vectors – such as malicious USB drives – still viable, enforcing strict control policies on external device connectivity is critical.
- Evaluate RDP Server Trust: Always confirm the reliability of any RDP server, and follow best practices such as network segmentation and regular monitoring of remote sessions.
- Educate End Users: Simple user actions such as opening unknown files or mounting untrusted VHDs can be the weak link in your security chain. Regular awareness training is advised.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday is a stark reminder of the continuous evolution of cybersecurity threats in the Windows ecosystem. From NTFS vulnerabilities to critical flaws in subsystems like WSL2 and Remote Desktop Protocol, the diversity and complexity of these issues reflect the persistent need for robust security postures. IT departments should prioritize immediate patching, continuous monitoring, and comprehensive user education to mitigate risks.As always, staying informed and proactive is essential. With evidence of in-the-wild exploitation and public disclosure of certain flaws, neglecting these updates isn’t an option. Whether you’re managing enterprise environments or safeguarding personal systems, these patches reinforce a simple, yet vital, truth: security is a moving target. It’s time to lock down those systems and fortify your defenses.
This comprehensive update serves as both a technical briefing and a reminder that cybersecurity is an ongoing, ever-adapting field. Stay alert, patch promptly, and protect your Windows environment from the myriad threats lurking beneath the surface.
Source: IT Brief Australia March Patch Tuesday reveals 57 vulnerabilities
