Microsoft has rolled out its July 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, addressing a staggering 137 security vulnerabilities across its product ecosystem. This month’s update includes multiple critical remote code execution (RCE) flaws, a publicly disclosed SQL Server zero-day, and high-impact issues affecting SharePoint, Windows authentication mechanisms, and more.
Whether you’re managing enterprise infrastructure or just maintaining a secure personal system, here’s everything you need to know—and act on—immediately.
📊 At a Glance
Item
Details
Total vulnerabilities
137 CVEs
Critical issues
~14 (RCEs, elevation-of-privilege, spoofing)
Zero-days
1 disclosed (SQL Server)
Products affected
Windows, SQL Server, Office, SharePoint, .NET, Kerberos, and more
🚨 Key Vulnerabilities to Prioritize
1. SQL Server Data Leak – CVE-2025-49719
Severity: High (CVSS 7.5)
Type: Unauthenticated Information Disclosure
What’s the risk? An attacker can send specially crafted queries to leak sensitive memory content from affected SQL Server instances.
Why it matters: This flaw was publicly disclosed prior to patching, increasing the risk of exploitation.
Affected versions: SQL Server 2016 through 2022
🔧 Action: Patch immediately if running SQL Server in any production environment.
2. Authenticated SQL Server RCE – CVE-2025-49717
Severity: Critical (CVSS 8.5)
Type: Remote Code Execution
Access required: Authenticated user
Impact: An authenticated attacker could execute arbitrary code on the server.
🔐 Tip: Restrict SQL access and use least privilege principles to minimize risk before patching.
3. Kerberos and SPNEGO RCEs (Multiple CVEs)
Services affected:
Kerberos Key Distribution Center Proxy (KDC Proxy)
SPNEGO Extended Negotiation (NEGOEX)
Severity: Up to CVSS 9.8
Type: Unauthenticated RCE
Threat: Exploiting these flaws could allow attackers to run arbitrary code within domain environments.
🛡️ Urgent for domain controllers and identity infrastructure. Patch ASAP in enterprise networks.
Risk: Users with minimal permissions can escalate privileges and execute code on the server.
Impact: SharePoint Online and on-prem deployments are both exposed.
✅ Action: Restrict access and update on-prem SharePoint instances promptly.
🧱 Other Highlights from the July Update
Windows Kernel and Connected Devices Platform Service: Memory corruption vulnerabilities allow local elevation-of-privilege and unauthenticated RCE via Nearby Sharing.
Office Preview Pane Exploits: Flaws in Office that allow RCE just by viewing a malicious document—no interaction required.
.NET Framework vulnerabilities: RCE and privilege escalation vectors fixed across multiple components.
🔁 What You Should Do Right Now
🧩 1. Patch Priorities
Focus on SQL Server, Kerberos, and SharePoint if used in production.
Prioritize domain controllers and remote-access exposed endpoints.
Apply cumulative updates (LCUs) via WSUS, Intune, or Windows Update.
🧷 2. Backup and Monitor
Backup critical servers and test updates in staging environments.
After patching, monitor logs for abnormal activity, especially from SQL or authentication services.
🔎 3. Review Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
While there are no actively exploited zero-days reported this month, disclosed flaws (like CVE-2025-49719) remain top candidates for post-patch reverse engineering and exploitation.
🔮 The Bigger Picture: Trends to Watch
Microsoft continues to address high-risk flaws in core services like SQL, Kerberos, and SharePoint—key pillars of enterprise IT. As attackers pivot toward identity-based attacks and unauthenticated RCE vectors, the pressure is on IT teams to shorten patching cycles and implement layered defenses like EDR, zero trust access controls, and advanced logging.
In parallel, the line between app vulnerabilities and infrastructure attacks is fading—meaning even Office documents and Nearby Sharing can be potential launchpads for full-system compromise.
📌 Final Thoughts
July’s Patch Tuesday is a must-act-now moment for IT and security professionals. With a large volume of fixes—many for critical services and exposed protocols—the update is a reminder of how complex and targeted modern threats are becoming.
🔐 Security is not just patching—it’s process. Review, prioritize, test, deploy, and verify.
Stay safe, stay updated. If you need a tailored patching plan for your organization or help assessing specific CVEs, feel free to reach out or drop your environment details.
Microsoft has rolled out its July 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, addressing a staggering 137 security vulnerabilities across its product ecosystem. This month’s update includes multiple critical remote code execution (RCE) flaws, a publicly disclosed SQL Server zero-day, and high-impact issues affecting SharePoint, Windows authentication mechanisms, and more.
Whether you’re managing enterprise infrastructure or just maintaining a secure personal system, here’s everything you need to know—and act on—immediately.
📊 At a Glance
🚨 Key Vulnerabilities to Prioritize
1. SQL Server Data Leak – CVE-2025-49719
2. Authenticated SQL Server RCE – CVE-2025-49717
3. Kerberos and SPNEGO RCEs (Multiple CVEs)
4. SharePoint Authenticated RCEs – CVE-2025-49701, CVE-2025-49704
🧱 Other Highlights from the July Update
🔁 What You Should Do Right Now
🧩 1. Patch Priorities
🧷 2. Backup and Monitor
🔎 3. Review Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
🔮 The Bigger Picture: Trends to Watch
Microsoft continues to address high-risk flaws in core services like SQL, Kerberos, and SharePoint—key pillars of enterprise IT. As attackers pivot toward identity-based attacks and unauthenticated RCE vectors, the pressure is on IT teams to shorten patching cycles and implement layered defenses like EDR, zero trust access controls, and advanced logging.
In parallel, the line between app vulnerabilities and infrastructure attacks is fading—meaning even Office documents and Nearby Sharing can be potential launchpads for full-system compromise.
📌 Final Thoughts
July’s Patch Tuesday is a must-act-now moment for IT and security professionals. With a large volume of fixes—many for critical services and exposed protocols—the update is a reminder of how complex and targeted modern threats are becoming.
Stay safe, stay updated. If you need a tailored patching plan for your organization or help assessing specific CVEs, feel free to reach out or drop your environment details.
Recent Post
Archives