Microsoft Addresses 130 Vulnerabilities, Highlighting Critical Flaws in SPNEGO and SQL Server
On July 9, 2025, Microsoft released its Patch Tuesday updates, addressing a total of 130 vulnerabilities, including critical security flaws within the SPNEGO protocol and SQL Server. Notably, this month’s updates marked the first time in 2025 that Microsoft did not include fixes for any actively exploited vulnerabilities; however, one of the flaws mitigated had already been publicly disclosed prior to the patch issuance.
Among the vulnerabilities addressed, ten have been categorized as Critical, while the remaining are classified as Important. These patches also extend to 10 non-Microsoft CVEs impacting various platforms such as Visual Studio, AMD products, and Microsoft’s Chromium-based Edge browser. According to Satnam Narang, Senior Staff Research Engineer at Tenable, this release ended an 11-month run of patching at least one zero-day vulnerability that had been exploited in real-world attack scenarios.
A significant portion of the vulnerabilities—53—are considered privilege escalation flaws, which could potentially allow attackers to gain higher permissions within a compromised system. Additionally, 42 address remote code execution vulnerabilities that could enable malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. Other categories include 17 information disclosure issues and eight security feature bypasses, each presenting varying levels of risk to organizations utilizing the affected software.
The context of these vulnerabilities is critical for business owners who must remain aware of their potential implications. For instance, privilege escalation could be leveraged by an attacker to move laterally within a network, demonstrating the initial access and persistence tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Such techniques are commonplace in cyber-attacks where adversaries strive to establish footholds within enterprise environments.
Furthermore, organizations utilizing Microsoft products, like SQL Server, should prioritize the implementation of these patches to mitigate the risk of potential exploitation. The vulnerabilities could serve as gateways for cybercriminals to execute remote code or divulge sensitive information, resulting in severe consequences for both operations and customer trust.
The recent updates also follow two additional vulnerabilities in the Edge browser that were addressed last month, indicating an ongoing commitment from Microsoft to bolster security across their platforms. It serves as a reminder of the evolving threat landscape where vigilance and prompt action are vital for safeguard practices.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s extensive patch rollout this month underscores the necessity for businesses to maintain proactive cybersecurity measures. The insights gleaned from the MITRE ATT&CK framework illustrate the tactics that could potentially be employed by malicious actors, making it imperative for organizations to understand and address the vulnerabilities inherent in their systems.
