CVE-2025-21297
Published: 14 January 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-21297 is a high-severity Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2012. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation of Remote Services (T1210); ranked in the top 17.5% 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 CM-7 (Least Functionality) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Directly requires timely patching and remediation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-21297 in Windows Remote Desktop Services to prevent remote code execution.
Restricts systems to least functionality by disabling or prohibiting unnecessary Remote Desktop Services, eliminating the attack surface for this RCE vulnerability.
Establishes controls and restrictions for remote access mechanisms like Remote Desktop Services, such as managed gateways or VPNs, to limit exposure to unauthenticated network-based exploitation.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Remote Desktop Services enables direct exploitation of the remote service without authentication.
NVD Description
Windows Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-21297 is a Remote Code Execution vulnerability affecting Windows Remote Desktop Services. 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 linked to CWE-416, with additional NVD-CWE-noinfo classification.
The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote unauthenticated attacker over the network, requiring no user interaction but high attack complexity. Successful exploitation grants high-impact remote code execution, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the targeted system.
Microsoft's Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21297 provides guidance on mitigation and patching for this vulnerability.
Details
- CWE(s)