As expected, the Patch Tuesday for July 2025 from Microsoft is here, containing patches for no less than 130 total vulnerabilities in their software ecosystem. The complete listing of patches can be found here but of note are patches for 10 critical-rated vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it fixes four security feature bypasses that impact BitLocker—Microsoft’s built-in disk encryption tool. The update is mainly focused on threats to Microsoft’s own software, though it does impact Visual Studio, AMD, and the Chromium-based Edge browser as well.
This most recent patch is testimony to their seriousness about security and their commitment to prevent future harm. This extensive update stands out for addressing five security feature bypass vulnerabilities in BitLocker. Each of these vulnerabilities has a Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 6.8. An unnamed security researcher working in coordination with Yuki Chen identified and fixed the vulnerabilities. Between those public disclosures, Microsoft’s Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE) team went on to disclose more vulnerabilities.
Overview of Vulnerabilities Addressed
As has been the case in past updates, the July 2025 Patch Tuesday update addresses vulnerabilities across a spectrum of CVSS severity scores. Of the 130 vulnerabilities, 53 are privilege escalation bugs. In total, there are 42 remote code execution vulnerabilities and 17 information disclosure vulnerabilities. Moreover, eight vulnerabilities are classified as security feature bypasses.
Among the critical-rated vulnerabilities, the update patches some major security flaws for several important concerns. For instance, Microsoft has warned that the heap-based buffer overflow in Windows SPNEGO Extended Negotiation could allow unauthorized attackers to execute code over a network.
“Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows SPNEGO Extended Negotiation allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network,” – Microsoft.
Ten CVSS critical-rated vulnerabilities require high priority patching. It is crucial for users and enterprises to apply these patches without delay to defend their systems against imminent exploitation.
Security Feature Bypasses in BitLocker
The Patch Tuesday update addresses five major security feature bypasses in BitLocker. These vulnerabilities would allow potential attackers to recover private keys that can be used to decrypt sensitive data. These vulnerabilities are CVE-2025-48001, CVE-2025-48003, CVE-2025-48800, CVE-2025-48804, and CVE-2025-48818. If misused, adversaries would be able to benefit from the presence of sensitive data leftovers, including leftovers like credentials and connection strings.
“An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by loading a WinRE.wim file while the OS volume is unlocked, granting access to BitLocker encrypted data,” – Microsoft.
Protecting against pervasive vulnerabilities The effects of these vulnerabilities illustrate the need to secure disk encryption tools. Cybersecurity advocates urge legislators and the public to focus on what might happen if these defects are not corrected.
“As a result, attackers could retrieve remnants of sensitive data, such as credentials or connection strings,” – Mike Walters, President and Co-Founder of Action1.
Companies and institutions using BitLocker are strongly encouraged to install the recently announced patches to protect their encrypted data from unauthorized access.
Broader Impact and Recommendations
The July Patch Tuesday update addresses a considerable number of non-Microsoft Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). This is the case with recent problems impacting Visual Studio, AMD hardware, and the Edge browser. Such a holistic approach makes sure that every software component is fortified against threats that can compromise system integrity.
As security analysts evaluate the long term effects of these vulnerabilities, many are urging caution on the public about their exploitability. Tenable Senior Staff Research Engineer Satnam Narang pointed out an interesting flip in this month’s changes.
“The 11-month streak of patching at least one zero-day that was exploited in the wild ended this month,” – Satnam Narang.
Given these historic, unprecedented changes and the uncertain future we’re all facing, cybersecurity experts are urging organizations to focus on implementing new patches first. Benjamin Harris, founder and CEO of public finance technology firm watchTowr, is clear about the urgency.
“We shouldn’t fool ourselves – if the private industry has noticed this vulnerability, it is certainly already on the radar of every attacker with an ounce of malice. Defenders need to drop everything, patch rapidly, and hunt down exposed systems,” – Benjamin Harris.