Microsoft’s Massive July 2025 Patch Tuesday: 130 Security Flaws Fixed (Including Critical SPNEGO and SQL Server Vulnerabilities)

Are your Microsoft systems really safe? July 2025’s Patch Tuesday just delivered a wake-up call, patching a staggering 130 vulnerabilities—including some that attackers could potentially use to wreak havoc inside organizations worldwide. But unlike previous months, this release marked a subtle shift: for the first time in nearly a year, Microsoft’s security updates didn’t address any flaws confirmed as being exploited in the wild. Does that mean you can relax? Not quite.

Let’s break down what’s new, what’s most urgent, and why every IT team, CISO, and even everyday users should care about this record-setting update.

Microsoft’s July 2025 Patch Tuesday: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Patch Tuesday is hardly new, but when Microsoft pushes out fixes for over a hundred vulnerabilities—ten of them labeled “Critical”—it’s a signal that every organization (and yes, individual users too) needs to pay attention. Cybercriminals aren’t slowing down, and neither are the vulnerabilities they exploit.

Here’s what’s unique about July 2025: – No newly exploited zero-days this month (a break in an 11-month streak) – One vulnerability was publicly known before patching—a potential goldmine for attackers – Critical flaws in core systems like SPNEGO and SQL Server (with CVSS scores reaching 9.8) – Non-Microsoft CVEs affecting Visual Studio, AMD, and Edge, plus updates from dozens of major vendors

Patch fatigue is real, but skipping this month’s updates could put your systems—and your data—at real risk.

A Quick Overview: 130 Microsoft Vulnerabilities Fixed (And Counting)

Before we dive into specifics, let’s look at the numbers—because they tell quite a story.

Breakdown by Type

Privilege Escalation Bugs: 53
Remote Code Execution (RCE): 42
Information Disclosure: 17
Security Feature Bypass: 8
Other vulnerabilities: affecting non-Microsoft software and platforms

Takeaway: Privilege escalation and remote code execution continue to dominate, meaning attackers are looking for ways to move laterally inside networks and run arbitrary code. Classic, but still devastating.

Spotlight on the Most Critical Vulnerabilities

Not all vulnerabilities are created equal. Some, if exploited, can lead to catastrophic breaches. Let’s focus on the two you really can’t afford to ignore: the SPNEGO Extended Negotiation (NEGOEX) RCE, and an information disclosure flaw in SQL Server.

1. Remote Code Execution in SPNEGO Extended Negotiation (NEGOEX)

CVE-2025-47981 | CVSS 9.8

Imagine a vulnerability so severe it’s described as “wormable”—the kind of bug that allows malware to spread like wildfire, echoing infamous incidents like WannaCry. That’s the threat posed by the SPNEGO NEGOEX flaw.

What is SPNEGO NEGOEX?
It’s part of Windows’ authentication system, responsible for negotiating security protocols in a networked environment. In English: it helps your Windows devices securely talk to each other.

How bad is it?
Very. This heap-based buffer overflow lets an attacker execute code over the network—no authentication required. All they need is network access. Microsoft itself rates exploitation as “More Likely.”

Who’s at risk?
– Windows client machines, version 1607 and above – Default settings can expose systems, thanks to Group Policy (“Allow PKU2U authentication requests to this computer to use online identities”) being enabled

Why should you care?
If this vulnerability is weaponized, we could see fast-moving malware outbreaks—potentially even before many organizations have a chance to patch. As Benjamin Harris (watchTowr) puts it, “Defenders need to drop everything, patch rapidly, and hunt down exposed systems.”

Read Microsoft’s advisory for CVE-2025-47981

2. Information Disclosure in Microsoft SQL Server

CVE-2025-49719 | CVSS 7.5

While not as headline-grabbing as a full RCE, this issue is deeply concerning for anyone running SQL Server. Here’s why.

The risk:
Improper input validation in SQL Server’s memory management could let attackers leak uninitialized memory—potentially exposing cryptographic keys, credentials, or other “crown jewels” of your database.

Who’s at risk?
– SQL Server engine users – Applications using OLE DB drivers – Any environment where sensitive data is held in SQL Server memory

Why does it matter?
Even if attackers only steal fragments of data at first, determined adversaries can piece together valuable secrets. And once that information is exposed, there’s no getting it back.

Expert insight:
“Attackers could retrieve remnants of sensitive data, such as credentials or connection strings,” warns Mike Walters (Action1). This vulnerability is publicly known, making it a priority for attackers scanning for unpatched systems.

More on SQL Server security best practices from Microsoft

Other Notable Vulnerabilities: KDC Proxy, Hyper-V, Office, BitLocker, and More

The sheer number of issues patched this month makes it almost impossible to cover everything in detail. However, a few other vulnerabilities stand out due to their potential for real-world exploitation.

Remote Code Execution in Windows KDC Proxy Service

CVE-2025-49735 | CVSS 8.1

No privileges or user interaction required
Network exposure makes it highly attractive to advanced persistent threats (APTs) and nation-state actors
Attackers must win a race condition—complex, but not impossible with advanced techniques

Hyper-V and Office RCEs

Windows Hyper-V RCE: CVE-2025-48822 (CVSS 8.6)
Microsoft Office RCEs: CVE-2025-49695, CVE-2025-496966, CVE-2025-49697 (CVSS 8.4)

These affect critical infrastructure and productivity tools—the backbone of many organizations.

BitLocker Security Feature Bypasses

CVEs: 2025-48001, 48003, 48800, 48804, 48818 (CVSS 6.8)

Five vulnerabilities in BitLocker, Windows’ built-in disk encryption
Attackers with physical access could extract encrypted data by abusing a WinRE.wim file
Particularly risky for organizations with mobile workforces or lost/stolen devices

Jacob Ashdown (Immersive) puts it plainly: “If exploited, these flaws could expose sensitive files, credentials, or allow tampering with system integrity.”

Real-World Impact: Who Should Be Most Concerned?

You might be wondering: “Do these flaws really affect me?” Here’s the short answer—if you run Windows, SQL Server, or any Microsoft ecosystem product, the answer is yes.

Organizations at High Risk

Enterprises relying on Active Directory, SQL Server, or Hyper-V
Government and critical infrastructure
Healthcare, financial, and legal sectors
Any business with remote workers or distributed networks
Companies with a “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy

Why This Month’s Patch Is Different

For the first time in nearly a year, there are no zero-days under active exploitation patched in this cycle. But don’t be lulled into complacency. As long as vulnerabilities are publicly known (as with the SQL Server flaw), attackers will be quick to take advantage—often within hours or days of a patch being released.

The End of the Road for SQL Server 2012: What You Need to Know

July 8, 2025, is a landmark date: Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) program for SQL Server 2012 has officially ended. No more patches. No more lifelines.

What does this mean for you? – SQL Server 2012 is now unsupported. – Unpatched systems become easy targets for attackers using even old exploits. – Regulatory and compliance risks increase for organizations holding sensitive data.

Action step:
If you’re still running SQL Server 2012, prioritize an upgrade immediately. Here’s Microsoft’s official guide on end-of-support.

Beyond Microsoft: Other Vendors Issue Critical Security Updates

Microsoft wasn’t alone in the flurry of patches this month. Over two dozen other major vendors also released important security updates. If you think patching Windows is enough, think again—cybersecurity is a team sport.

Notable vendors updating in July 2025: – Adobe, AMD, Atlassian, Bitdefender, Cisco, Dell – Google Chrome, Mozilla Thunderbird, WordPress, Zoom – Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Red Hat, Debian, and more) – Hardware manufacturers: HP, Lenovo, Supermicro, Gigabyte, etc.

Skipping third-party patches leaves huge holes for attackers to exploit, so make sure your patch management process covers all the bases.

For a full list of vendors and advisories, check the US-CERT Current Activity page.

How to Prioritize Patching: A Practical Strategy

With so many vulnerabilities—some more urgent than others—how do you know where to start? Here’s how security pros approach Patch Tuesday:

1. Patch Critical and Publicly Known Vulnerabilities First

SPNEGO NEGOEX (CVE-2025-47981) and SQL Server (CVE-2025-49719) should top your list.
Focus on flaws rated Critical (CVSS 9.0+) and those known to be public.

2. Prioritize Internet-Facing and Core Infrastructure

Servers exposed to the internet, domain controllers, and devices handling sensitive data.

3. Don’t Ignore “Important” Vulnerabilities

Attackers often target “boring” bugs that slip through the cracks.

4. Update Third-Party Software and Drivers

Visual Studio, AMD, Chrome, and more are included in this month’s fixes.

5. Review and Test Before Broad Deployment

Especially in large organizations, test patches in a staging environment to avoid operational disruptions.

6. Educate Users

Remind staff about social engineering, phishing, and why updating matters.

Here’s why that matters: Unpatched vulnerabilities are the low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. A robust, prioritized patching process is one of the simplest, most effective defenses you can put in place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Patch Tuesday and why is it important?

Patch Tuesday is Microsoft’s monthly release of security updates, typically on the second Tuesday of each month. It helps organizations and individuals address newly discovered vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

2. Has Microsoft patched any zero-day vulnerabilities in July 2025?

No, July 2025 marks the first Patch Tuesday in 11 months without a confirmed exploited zero-day. However, one vulnerability (in SQL Server) was publicly known before patching.

3. Which Microsoft vulnerabilities are most critical this month?

The standout flaws are: – CVE-2025-47981: SPNEGO NEGOEX Remote Code Execution (CVSS 9.8) – CVE-2025-49719: SQL Server Information Disclosure (CVSS 7.5) – Remote code execution in KDC Proxy, Hyper-V, and Office

4. How soon should I patch my systems?

As soon as possible. Attackers often reverse-engineer patches (“patch diffing”) to create exploits within days or hours of release. Prioritize critical and publicly known issues.

5. Does this update affect personal computers or only enterprise systems?

Both. While some vulnerabilities are more relevant to enterprise environments, anyone using supported versions of Windows, Office, or SQL Server may be at risk.

6. Do I need to worry about third-party software this month?

Yes. Updates from Adobe, AMD, Google, Cisco, and many others were also released. Comprehensive patch management includes both Microsoft and third-party software.

7. Is SQL Server 2012 still supported?

No. SQL Server 2012 reached end of support on July 8, 2025, and will no longer receive security updates. Upgrading is strongly recommended.

8. Where can I find more information about these vulnerabilities?

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait, Patch Now—And Stay Informed

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical checkbox—it’s an ongoing battle of cat and mouse. Microsoft’s July 2025 Patch Tuesday is a reminder that even without the drama of new zero-days, the risk landscape is always evolving.

If you do just one thing today:
Prioritize patching critical and publicly known vulnerabilities. Review your systems for exposure, update all relevant software (including third-party tools), and keep your security team—and your users—in the loop.

Curious about deeper security strategies or want to stay ahead of the latest exploits? Subscribe for regular updates, expert analysis, and practical advice on keeping your organization secure. And remember: in the world of cybersecurity, proactive beats reactive—every single time.

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Microsoft’s Massive July 2025 Patch Tuesday: 130 Security Flaws Fixed (Including Critical SPNEGO and SQL Server Vulnerabilities)

Microsoft’s July 2025 Patch Tuesday: Why It Matters More Than Ever