Microsoft’s December 2025 Patch Tuesday: Addressing 56 Vulnerabilities, Including Three Zero-Days
On December 9, 2025, Microsoft released its final Patch Tuesday updates for the year, addressing 56 security vulnerabilities across various products, including Windows, Office, and Exchange Server. This comprehensive update is crucial for maintaining system security and stability.
Overview of the Update
The December 2025 Patch Tuesday encompasses fixes for 56 vulnerabilities, categorized as follows:
– Remote Code Execution (RCE):
– 19 vulnerabilities
– Elevation of Privilege:
– 28 vulnerabilities
– Information Disclosure:
– 4 vulnerabilities
– Denial of Service:
– 3 vulnerabilities
– Spoofing:
– 2 vulnerabilities
Notably, this update includes three zero-day vulnerabilities: two publicly disclosed remote code execution issues and one actively exploited elevation of privilege vulnerability.
Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Detailed
1. CVE-2025-62221 – Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability:
– Severity: Important
– Description: This use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver allows attackers to escalate privileges locally.
– Exploitation Status: Actively exploited in the wild.
2. CVE-2025-64671 – GitHub Copilot for JetBrains Remote Code Execution Vulnerability:
– Severity: Important
– Description: A command injection flaw in GitHub Copilot for JetBrains enables local remote code execution.
– Exploitation Status: Publicly known; exploitation considered less likely.
3. CVE-2025-54100 – PowerShell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability:
– Severity: Important
– Description: This command injection vulnerability in PowerShell allows local code execution.
– Exploitation Status: Publicly disclosed.
Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities
The update also addresses two critical RCE vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office:
– CVE-2025-62554 – Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability:
– Severity: Critical
– Description: A type confusion issue in Microsoft Office permits unauthorized local code execution.
– CVE-2025-62557 – Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability:
– Severity: Critical
– Description: A use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Office allows unauthorized local code execution.
Additional Noteworthy Vulnerabilities
– CVE-2025-62456 – Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability:
– Severity: Important
– Description: A heap-based buffer overflow in ReFS enables authorized attackers to execute code over a network.
– CVE-2025-62454 – Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability:
– Severity: Important
– Description: A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver allows authorized attackers to elevate privileges locally.
Implications and Recommendations
The inclusion of actively exploited and publicly disclosed vulnerabilities underscores the importance of timely patching. Organizations and individual users are urged to prioritize the deployment of these updates to mitigate potential security risks.
Steps to Apply the Updates:
1. Windows Update:
– Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
– Click on Check for updates and install the available updates.
2. Microsoft Update Catalog:
– For manual downloads, visit the [Microsoft Update Catalog](https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx) and search for the relevant KB numbers associated with these updates.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s December 2025 Patch Tuesday serves as a critical reminder of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. By addressing these 56 vulnerabilities, including three zero-days, Microsoft aims to enhance the security posture of its products. Users and organizations should act promptly to apply these updates, ensuring their systems remain protected against potential threats.
