Microsoft Releases Critical Security Update for CVE-2025-71122

Microsoft has released a critical security update to address CVE-2025-71122, a high-severity vulnerability that could allow remote code execution on affected Windows systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Windows operating system, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and various Windows Server editions.

The security flaw exists in the Windows Remote Desktop Services component, where improper input validation could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Microsoft rates this vulnerability as Critical with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10.

Affected Products and Versions

• Windows 10 (all supported versions)
• Windows 11 (all supported versions)
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2025

Risk Assessment

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the Remote Desktop Services. Successful exploitation would grant the attacker the same user rights as the local user, potentially allowing them to install programs, view/change/delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Mitigation Steps

Microsoft strongly recommends immediate action:

1. Apply Security Updates Immediately

   • Windows Update: Check for updates and install all critical patches
   • Manual Download: Available through Microsoft Update Catalog
   • WSUS/Intune: Deploy through enterprise management systems

2. Temporary Workarounds

   • Disable Remote Desktop Services if not required
   • Restrict network access to RDP ports (3389)
   • Implement network-level authentication

3. Verification

   • Confirm patch installation status
   • Test critical applications post-update
   • Monitor system logs for unusual activity

Timeline

• April 8, 2025: Microsoft released security bulletin MS25-XXX
• April 9, 2025: Public disclosure of CVE-2025-71122
• April 10, 2025: First exploitation attempts detected in the wild

Additional Resources

• Microsoft Security Update Guide
• CVE-2025-71122 Details
• Microsoft Tech Community Discussion

Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as threat actors are actively developing exploits. Microsoft has observed limited targeted attacks attempting to leverage this flaw, making immediate remediation essential.

The security update addresses the input validation issue in Remote Desktop Services, preventing the execution of malicious code through crafted requests. Systems that cannot immediately apply the patch should implement the suggested workarounds to reduce exposure risk.