CVE-2025-21266
Published: 14 January 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-21266 is a high-severity Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203); ranked in the top 17.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-2 (Flaw Remediation) and CM-7 (Least Functionality).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Directly remediates the Windows Telephony Service RCE vulnerability (CVE-2025-21266) by applying vendor patches as specified in the MSRC advisory.
Implements memory protections like ASLR and DEP to mitigate stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) exploitation leading to RCE in the service.
Restricts the system to least functionality by disabling the non-essential Windows Telephony Service, removing the vulnerable attack surface.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
RCE vulnerability in Windows service with network vector and explicit user interaction requirement (e.g., malicious link/file) directly enables client-side exploitation for arbitrary code execution.
NVD Description
Windows Telephony Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-21266 is a Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in the Windows Telephony Service. Published on 2025-01-14T18:15:45.797, it carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and is linked to CWE-122, with additional NVD-CWE-noinfo classification.
The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote unauthenticated attacker over the network with low attack complexity, requiring user interaction such as clicking a malicious link or opening a file. Successful exploitation enables high-impact effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, allowing arbitrary code execution on the affected Windows system.
Mitigation details are available in the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21266.
Details
- CWE(s)