CVE-2025-21294
Published: 14 January 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-21294 is a high-severity Sensitive Data Storage in Improperly Locked Memory (CWE-591) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1507. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 16.7% 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 mitigates the remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Digest Authentication by requiring timely application of vendor patches as detailed in the MSRC update guide.
Identifies the presence of CVE-2025-21294 through periodic vulnerability scanning of systems using Digest Authentication, enabling proactive remediation.
Reduces attack surface by disabling or restricting unnecessary legacy Digest Authentication functionality vulnerable to this unauthenticated RCE.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The CVE describes an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in a network-accessible Microsoft Digest Authentication component with no user interaction required, directly enabling T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application.
NVD Description
Microsoft Digest Authentication Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-21294 is a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft Digest Authentication. Published on 2025-01-14, it carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and is associated with CWE-591.
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability over the network, though it requires high attack complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Microsoft's Security Response Center provides an update guide at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21294 detailing mitigation and patching information.
Details
- CWE(s)