MAY 2025 #PATCHTUESDAY [PLEASE DON’T CLICK THAT. EXPERTS REVIEW NEW THREATS] E19

Summary

In this Patch Tuesday update, the hosts discuss various vulnerabilities affecting Windows systems, including a scripting engine memory corruption vulnerability (CVE-202530397) tied to legacy Internet Explorer components and an NTFS elevation of privilege vulnerability (CVE-202532707). They also highlight the risks of running outdated software and cracked programs. Other topics covered include remote code execution vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop (CVE-202529967) and Visual Studio (CVE-20253272), emphasizing the dangers these pose to enterprise environments. The discussion also touches on the importance of patching, fishing awareness, and securing engineers' credentials.

Takeaways

• 😀 May's Patch Tuesday includes important security updates with a focus on Windows vulnerabilities.
• 😀 CVE-2025-30397 affects legacy Internet Explorer components, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the system.
• 😀 Mitigation for CVE-2025-30397 includes disabling Internet Explorer 11 or using modern browsers like Chromium Edge.
• 😀 CVE-2025-32707 is an NTFS elevation of privilege vulnerability that can be exploited via phishing or mounting malicious images.
• 😀 To mitigate CVE-2025-32707, avoid downloading software from untrusted sources and educate users on phishing risks.
• 😀 CVE-2025-29967 highlights a remote code execution vulnerability in the remote desktop client that attackers can exploit.
• 😀 Organizations should secure remote desktop setups, especially those exposed to the public internet, by applying patches.
• 😀 CVE-2025-3272 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Visual Studio, affecting development environments with elevated privileges.
• 😀 Developers should patch Visual Studio installations and be cautious of running vulnerable software with high-level permissions.
• 😀 Excel and Office saw multiple vulnerabilities this month, including around 10 CVEs, with risks of remote code execution.
• 😀 The key to protecting systems is applying all available security patches, educating employees on phishing, and avoiding legacy components.

Q & A

What is Patch Tuesday and why is it important?

Patch Tuesday is the second Tuesday of every month when Microsoft releases security patches and updates for its products. It is important because it helps protect systems from known vulnerabilities by addressing security flaws that could potentially be exploited by attackers.

What is CVE-2025-30397 and how does it affect users?

CVE-2025-30397 is a scripting engine memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers to run arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. The exploit relies on legacy Internet Explorer components running on the system, which is often the case in enterprise environments using outdated software for compatibility reasons.

How can the CVE-2025-30397 vulnerability be mitigated?

To mitigate CVE-2025-30397, users can disable Internet Explorer 11 as a standalone browser. If the legacy components are not needed, this should be done via administrative templates in enterprise environments to prevent exploitation.

Why do some enterprises still use Internet Explorer in 2025?

Enterprises continue to use Internet Explorer due to legacy software that requires it for compatibility. These older applications may not work properly on newer browsers, and budget constraints or a lack of desire to upgrade contribute to this continued use.

What is CVE-2025-32707 and what risk does it pose?

CVE-2025-32707 is an NTFS elevation of privilege vulnerability that allows an attacker to gain higher privileges by mounting a malicious disk image or virtual hard drive. This is a risk if users mount untrusted disk images, such as cracked software, which could exploit the vulnerability.

How can users protect themselves from the CVE-2025-32707 vulnerability?

Users can protect themselves by avoiding the mounting of suspicious disk images, especially from untrusted sources, and ensuring that their systems are fully patched with the latest security updates from Patch Tuesday.

What is the remote desktop vulnerability (CVE-2025-29967), and how can it be exploited?

CVE-2025-29967 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client. An attacker controlling a remote desktop server can exploit this vulnerability when a victim connects to the server, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine.

What precautions should organizations take regarding Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to prevent exploitation of CVE-2025-29967?

Organizations should ensure that RDP clients are kept up to date with security patches and carefully manage remote desktop access. Avoid exposing RDP services publicly and use VPNs or other secure methods for remote access.

What is CVE-2025-3272, and why is it particularly dangerous for developers?

CVE-2025-3272 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Visual Studio that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code locally on a vulnerable system. This is particularly dangerous for developers, as they typically have elevated permissions and access to sensitive credentials or systems, such as cloud infrastructure and build pipelines.

How can organizations mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-3272?

Organizations can mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-3272 by ensuring that Visual Studio is patched regularly and by educating developers on safe practices, such as avoiding untrusted code execution and using secure development practices.

What other security issues were mentioned regarding Microsoft Excel during this Patch Tuesday?

Several vulnerabilities were identified in Microsoft Excel, with around 10 CVEs related to Excel alone. These vulnerabilities could potentially lead to issues like code execution or data leakage, and users are advised to apply the relevant patches to prevent exploitation.

What role does phishing play in security breaches, according to the podcast?

Phishing plays a significant role in security breaches, as attackers often use it to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading harmful files. The podcast emphasizes the importance of educating users to avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially in emails, and ensuring that security patches are up to date.

What is the main takeaway from the podcast regarding security best practices?

The main takeaway from the podcast is the importance of regularly applying security patches, being cautious of phishing attempts, disabling outdated software components when possible, and being proactive about securing systems, especially in enterprise environments.