March 2025 Patch Tuesday Forecast: A Return to Normalcy
As we move into March 2025, the Patch Tuesday forecast signals a welcome return to normalcy for enterprise patch management. According to Help Net Security’s latest analysis, after a tumultuous January addressing over 100 vulnerabilities, recent updates have begun to stabilize the environment—even as Microsoft continues its vigilant push against threats.Microsoft’s Continued Security Enhancements
OS and Application Fixes
- Windows 11 and Windows 10 CVEs:
February saw the release of 37 CVEs for Windows 11 and 33 for Windows 10, alongside 8 addressed in Office 365 online and Office 2016 (standalone). March’s upcoming release is expected to further increase this tally, particularly with several key fixes, including:- Outlook Drag-and-Drop Functionality:
A non-security update in January and a follow-up security update in February impacted Outlook's drag-and-drop functionality. This has been rectified in the March preview release, streamlining user interactions. - SSH Connection Issues:
A persistent problem affecting multiple operating systems since October 2024 has been fixed, ensuring healthier and more stable SSH connectivity. - Power Pages Vulnerability (CVE-2025-24989):
Microsoft has implemented a service-level fix for this critical flaw, which previously allowed unauthorized privilege escalation over networks by bypassing user registration controls on the Microsoft Power Platform.
- Outlook Drag-and-Drop Functionality:
End-of-Life Announcements and Upcoming Deprecations
- Skype Service Retirement:
After 14 years, Microsoft announced that Skype will go offline on May 5th, urging customers to transition to Teams—a move that aligns with the broader push toward integrated and cloud-based communication solutions. - WSUS Driver Synchronization Deprecation:
Microsoft provided a 60-day warning in February regarding the deprecation of WSUS driver synchronization, set for April 18, 2025. While existing updates will continue to be available in the update catalog, the import functionality into WSUS will be disabled. - Final Updates for Legacy Products:
Looking ahead, Patch Tuesday on October 14, 2025 is expected to be monumental as Microsoft unleashes the final updates for Windows 10, Exchange Server 2016, and Exchange Server 2019—a critical reminder for enterprises to plan migrations and renewals.
Emerging Threats Highlighted by Recent Activity
Polymorphic Extensions in Google Chrome
Security researchers highlighted new concerns involving polymorphic extensions developed by SquareX Labs. These malicious extensions employ a method that swaps back into the genuine version after delivering their payload, making it difficult to distinguish between malicious and legitimate software.Botnet Attacks on Microsoft O365 Accounts
A series of botnet attacks targeting Microsoft O365 accounts have emerged, attempting to bypass Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) by exploiting Basic Authentication methods. On a positive note, Microsoft has announced plans to disable Basic Auth on any remaining accounts in September 2025, transitioning users to an OAuth2 model that mandates MFA—thus tightening security.Broader Software Updates and Industry Insights
Outside of Microsoft’s ecosystem, March’s patch cycle is expected to be relatively calm but predictable:- Adobe Creative Cloud:
With numerous updates rolled out last month, Adobe is not anticipated to release many new updates this month; the next major updates for Acrobat and Reader are likely due in April. - Apple OS and Apps:
Apple continues its regular update cadence, with the latest OS and application updates having already appeared on February 10. Expect another round later in March if the current cycle holds. - Google Chrome and Mozilla Updates:
Google has recently pushed Chrome Desktop 135 to the Beta channel for Windows, Mac, and Linux. A general availability release is expected next week. Mozilla has also released security updates for its ESR versions (rated Critical) and Firefox/Thunderbird 136 (rated High). These updates should be included in any comprehensive Patch Tuesday deployment.
Final Thoughts
March 2025’s Patch Tuesday appears to be shaping up as a “normal” yet impactful maintenance cycle. With Microsoft fine-tuning fixes for Outlook, SSH connectivity, and Power Pages—and addressing vulnerabilities while signaling end-of-life for legacy products—administrators can anticipate a smoother, more secure update process. While some concerns remain, such as the risk of polymorphic browser extensions and evolving botnet strategies against O365, the enhanced security measures and standardization across OS updates are positive indications.For IT professionals, this predictable cadence is a welcome development. It’s a reminder for teams to plan their upgrade strategies and transitions—especially with major changes on the horizon in later 2025—so that strategic shifts in product lifecycles do not catch organizations off guard.
Stay tuned for further updates, and remember to always provide your feedback via the designated channels to help shape the final releases.
Source: Help Net Security
Source: Help Net Security March 2025 Patch Tuesday forecast: A return to normalcy - Help Net Security
