Full Report
Plus critical critical Notepad++, Ivanti, and Fortinet updates, and one of these patches an under-attack security hole Happy December Patch Tuesday to all who celebrate. This month's patch party includes one Microsoft flaw under exploitation, plus two others listed as publicly known – but just 57 CVEs in total from Redmond.…
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Microsoft Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Privilege Escalation (Zero-Day)
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-62221
- CVSS Score: 7.8 (High)
- CWE: (Not specified in source)
## Affected Systems
- Products: Windows (Specific components involving the Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver)
- Versions: Not specified (Implied to affect current unsupported/patchable versions)
- Configurations: Requires an already authorized attacker with local code execution rights.
## Vulnerability Description
A vulnerability resides within the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver that allows an already authenticated, local attacker to elevate their privileges up to the system level. This is achieved by abusing the driver's privileges post initial code execution.
## Exploitation
- Status: Exploited in the wild (Observed as a zero-day)
- Complexity: Medium (Requires prior local code execution)
- Attack Vector: Local
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (Gain system-level access allows inspection of sensitive data)
- Integrity: High (Gain system-level access allows modification/deletion of system files)
- Availability: High (System-level control can lead to denial of service)
## Remediation
### Patches
- Microsoft Patch released as part of December 2025 Patch Tuesday for CVE-2025-62221.
### Workarounds
- None explicitly mentioned, but limiting initial unauthorized code execution is critical.
## Detection
- Focus on monitoring for privilege escalation attempts originating from processes with lower privileges on host systems.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) Guide for December 2025.
***
# Vulnerability: GitHub Copilot for Jetbrains Remote Code Execution
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-64671
- CVSS Score: 8.4 (High)
- CWE: (Likely related to Command Injection/Improper Input Validation)
## Affected Systems
- Products: GitHub Copilot for Jetbrains IDEs
- Versions: Not specified
- Configurations: Involves triggering via malicious cross-prompt injection in untrusted files or Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.
## Vulnerability Description
This flaw allows an attacker to use malicious cross-prompt injection via untrusted files or MCP servers to piggyback extra commands onto those permitted by the user's terminal auto-approve settings. This results in command execution without further user confirmation, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
## Exploitation
- Status: Publicly Known (Not explicitly stated as exploited in the wild)
- Complexity: High (Requires social engineering to trigger command execution on a victim machine, though the RCE mechanism itself may be direct once triggered).
- Attack Vector: Local/Socially Engineered Remote
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High
- Integrity: High
- Availability: High
## Remediation
### Patches
- Microsoft Patch released as part of December 2025 Patch Tuesday for CVE-2025-64671.
### Workarounds
- High vigilance required regarding untrusted files processed by Copilot or interactions with MCP servers.
## Detection
- Monitor for unexpected terminal commands executed immediately following interactions with untrusted files or IDE contexts involving Copilot.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) Guide for December 2025.
- Researcher Note: Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative report.
***
# Vulnerability: PowerShell Remote Code Execution
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-54100
- CVSS Score: 7.8 (High)
- CWE: (Not specified in source)
## Affected Systems
- Products: PowerShell
- Versions: Not specified
- Configurations: Default execution context.
## Vulnerability Description
A vulnerability in PowerShell that leads to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
## Exploitation
- Status: Publicly Known (Not explicitly stated as exploited in the wild)
- Complexity: (Not specified)
- Attack Vector: Remote
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High
- Integrity: High
- Availability: High
## Remediation
### Patches
- Microsoft Patch released as part of December 2025 Patch Tuesday for CVE-2025-54100.
### Workarounds
- None specified.
## Detection
- Standard monitoring for anomalous PowerShell script execution.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) Guide for December 2025.
***
# Vulnerability: Notepad++ Updater Integrity Bypass
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: (Not specified)
- CVSS Score: Critical (Implied severe due to active abuse)
- CWE: (Related to weak update validation/integrity checks)
## Affected Systems
- Products: Notepad++ (Versions prior to v8.8.9)
- Versions: Prior to v8.8.9
- Configurations: Utilizes the built-in WinGUp updater component.
## Vulnerability Description
A weakness in how the Notepad++ updater (WinGUp) validates the integrity and authenticity of downloaded update files. Attackers capable of network traffic interception can redirect the updater to download and execute malicious binaries instead of legitimate updates, leading to system compromise. Attackers from China were reportedly abusing this flaw.
## Exploitation
- Status: Exploited in the wild (Actively being abused)
- Complexity: Medium (Requires network interception capability)
- Attack Vector: Network
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High
- Integrity: High
- Availability: High
## Remediation
### Patches
- Notepad++ **v8.8.9** (Released December 2025)
### Workarounds
- If patching is delayed, restrict network access/intercept capabilities that might target the updater traffic immediately.
## Detection
- Monitor for unexpected binary execution initiated by the Notepad++ updater process.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: Notepad++ Release Notes for v8.8.9.
***
# Vulnerability: Ivanti EPM Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-10573
- CVSS Score: Critical (Unauthenticated session takeover)
- CWE: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'))
## Affected Systems
- Products: Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM) web service
- Versions: Not specified (Fixed in the disclosed Tuesday patch)
- Configurations: Requires unauthenticated access to the primary EPM web service.
## Vulnerability Description
An unauthenticated attacker can join fake managed endpoints to the EPM server. By doing so, they can poison the administrator web dashboard with malicious JavaScript payload. When an administrator views this compromised dashboard interface, the stored XSS executes client-side, resulting in the attacker gaining full control over the administrator's session.
## Exploitation
- Status: Publicly Known (Fix available; active exploitation highly likely to follow)
- Complexity: Low (Requires no credentials to stage the attack)
- Attack Vector: Network
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (Session takeover)
- Integrity: High (Administrator control)
- Availability: Medium
## Remediation
### Patches
- Ivanti patch released as part of the December advisories.
### Workarounds
- Restrict external or wide-ranging anonymous access to the primary Ivanti EPM web service immediately until patching is complete.
## Detection
- Monitor EPM web server logs for unusual endpoint registration requests indicative of malicious client staging.
## References
- Researcher Disclosure: Rapid7 blog post detailing CVE-2025-10573.
***
# Vulnerability: Fortinet FortiOS/FortiWeb/FortiProxy/FortiSwitchManager SAML Bypass
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-59718 and CVE-2025-59719 (Paired critical flaws)
- CVSS Score: 9.1 (Critical)
- CWE: (Related to Authentication Bypass/Improper Signature Validation)
## Affected Systems
- Products: FortiOS, FortiWeb, FortiProxy, FortiSwitchManager
- Versions: Not specified (Requires the affected product to have the FortiCloud SSO login method enabled)
- Configurations: **Only vulnerable if the FortiCloud single sign-on (SSO) login method is explicitly enabled.**
## Vulnerability Description
These critical flaws affect Fortinet products utilizing the FortiCloud SSO login feature. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a specific SAML message to bypass the required authentication process, allowing them to gain access to the system.
## Exploitation
- Status: Publicly Known (Fixed)
- Complexity: Medium (Requires knowledge of SAML message manipulation)
- Attack Vector: Network
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High
- Integrity: High
- Availability: High
## Remediation
### Patches
- Fortinet patches released for FortiOS, FortiWeb, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager within the December advisories.
### Workarounds
- **Disable the FortiCloud SSO login feature** on all affected appliances until patches can be applied. (Note: This feature is not enabled by default.)
## Detection
- Monitor security logs for failed or unusual SAML responses or login attempts on appliances where SSO is active.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: FortiGuard PSIRT Advisory FG-IR-25-647.