Microsoft’s May 2025 Patch Tuesday: Zero-Day Exploits and Critical Fixes You Need to Know

Microsoft's May 2025 Patch Tuesday is here, addressing a staggering 72 vulnerabilities, including five actively exploited zero-day flaws and two publicly disclosed ones. This month's update is critical for users and administrators alike, as it tackles a range of security issues that could potentially compromise systems.

Among the most pressing concerns are the five actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. These are flaws that attackers are already using in the wild, making immediate patching essential. According to Microsoft, threat actors are actively exploiting these vulnerabilities to gain SYSTEM privileges and execute code remotely.

The zero-day vulnerabilities fixed in this update include:

• CVE-2025-30400: A Microsoft DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
• CVE-2025-32701: Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
• CVE-2025-32706: Another Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
• CVE-2025-32709: Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.
• CVE-2025-30397: Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability, affecting Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.

According to Microsoft, exploiting CVE-2025-30397 requires tricking a user into clicking a specially crafted link in Edge or Internet Explorer. However, successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to gain remote code execution.

In addition to the actively exploited flaws, Microsoft addressed two publicly disclosed zero-days: CVE-2025-26685, a Microsoft Defender for Identity Spoofing Vulnerability, and CVE-2025-32702, a Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.

Beyond Microsoft, other vendors have also been active in releasing security updates. Apple issued updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Cisco addressed a maximum severity vulnerability in IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers. Google's May 2025 security updates for Android fixed an actively exploited zero-click FreeType 2 code execution vulnerability. These updates collectively highlight the ongoing battle to stay ahead of escalating cyber threats.

The Microsoft Scripting Engine vulnerability (CVE-2025-30397) is of particular concern. It enables remote code execution over a network, allowing attackers to potentially compromise targeted systems remotely. Microsoft urges users and administrators to apply the latest security updates immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation of CVE-2025-30397.

With the scope and severity of these vulnerabilities, the May 2025 Patch Tuesday serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive security measures. Updating your systems promptly is the first line of defense against potential attacks.

Have you already installed the latest updates? What are your thoughts on the increasing complexity of security patching? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!

• Microsoft
• Patch Tuesday
• Zero-day