CVE-2025-49673
Published: 08 July 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-49673 is a high-severity Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 26.7% 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 CM-7 (Least Functionality) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2025-49673 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) in the Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). It affects Microsoft Windows systems where RRAS is enabled, allowing an unauthorized attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code over a network. The vulnerability has 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), indicating high severity due to its network accessibility, low attack complexity, and lack of required privileges, though it requires user interaction.
An unauthorized attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely by tricking a user into interacting with malicious content, such as clicking a specially crafted link or opening a file that triggers the buffer overflow in RRAS. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution with the privileges of the RRAS service, potentially compromising the affected system by granting high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Microsoft's Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-49673 provides details on the vulnerability, affected versions, and recommended mitigations, including available security updates to patch the issue. Security practitioners should apply these updates promptly and review the guidance for detection and workaround options if patching is delayed.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-20574
Vulnerability details
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Heap buffer overflow in public-facing RRAS service enables remote exploitation for code execution (T1190); UI:R requirement maps to client-side trigger for execution (T1203).
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly remediates the heap-based buffer overflow in RRAS by requiring timely application of vendor security updates to eliminate the vulnerability.
Implements memory protections such as ASLR and DEP to prevent unauthorized code execution from heap buffer overflow exploits in RRAS.
Minimizes attack surface by configuring systems to disable RRAS unless essential, preventing exposure to network-based exploitation.