Windows: Windows OLE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2025-21298) #shorts

Summary

Welcome to today's podcast, where we delve into the critical Windows OLE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-21298. This vulnerability represents a serious threat due to its zero-click nature, impacting a range of Microsoft products. Discovered early in 2025, it allows attackers remote code execution via email, posing a significant risk to email security across the globe.

Product details

The vulnerability affects various Microsoft operating systems including multiple versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server iterations. Specifically, impacted versions include Windows 10 Version 1809, 21H2, 22H2, and others, as well as Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025 editions. It's crucial for users across these platforms to understand the risk and update their systems promptly.

Vulnerability type summary

Classified under CWE-416, this 'Use After Free' vulnerability is a zero-click exploit. It affects OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) components within Microsoft products, allowing malicious actors to remotely execute code without any user interaction. This means an attacker can potentially run arbitrary code on a vulnerable system, leading to potential data breaches or system compromise.

Details of the vulnerability

CVE-2025-21298 is a critical security flaw that leverages a weakness in Microsoft's OLE technology. An attacker can exploit this without needing any action from the user, which is typically done through a malicious email. Once executed, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code, making it possible to take full control of the affected system. Given the nature of OLE, this vulnerability presents a unique challenge to email security and has wide-reaching implications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVE-2025-21298 underscores the importance of timely updates and robust security postures for organizations and individuals alike. Microsoft has released patches to address this critical vulnerability, emphasizing the need for immediate action to mitigate potential risks. Users are strongly advised to apply the latest updates and follow best security practices to safeguard their systems against exploitation.

Watch the full video on YouTube: CVE-2025-21298

Remediation and exploitation details

This chain involves the following actors

This following systems are involved

Attack entry point

Remediation actions

Exploitation actions

Related Content

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CVE database technical details

CVE ID
CVE-2025-21298
Description
Windows OLE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Provider
microsoft
CWE / problem types
CWE-416: Use After Free
Affected Software Versions
Microsoft:Windows 10 Version 1809:[{'version': '10.0.17763.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.17763.6775', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2019:[{'version': '10.0.17763.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.17763.6775', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '10.0.17763.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.17763.6775', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2022:[{'version': '10.0.20348.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.20348.3091', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 10 Version 21H2:[{'version': '10.0.19043.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.19044.5371', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 11 version 22H2:[{'version': '10.0.22621.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.22621.4751', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 10 Version 22H2:[{'version': '10.0.19045.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.19045.5371', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '10.0.26100.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.26100.2894', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 11 version 22H3:[{'version': '10.0.22631.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.22631.4751', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 11 Version 23H2:[{'version': '10.0.22631.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.22631.4751', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation):[{'version': '10.0.25398.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.25398.1369', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 11 Version 24H2:[{'version': '10.0.26100.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.26100.2894', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2025:[{'version': '10.0.26100.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.26100.2894', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 10 Version 1507:[{'version': '10.0.10240.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.10240.20890', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows 10 Version 1607:[{'version': '10.0.14393.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.14393.7699', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2016:[{'version': '10.0.14393.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.14393.7699', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '10.0.14393.0', 'lessThan': '10.0.14393.7699', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2:[{'version': '6.0.6003.0', 'lessThan': '6.0.6003.23070', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '6.0.6003.0', 'lessThan': '6.0.6003.23070', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2:[{'version': '6.0.6003.0', 'lessThan': '6.0.6003.23070', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1:[{'version': '6.1.7601.0', 'lessThan': '6.1.7601.27520', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '6.1.7601.0', 'lessThan': '6.1.7601.27520', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2012:[{'version': '6.2.9200.0', 'lessThan': '6.2.9200.25273', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '6.2.9200.0', 'lessThan': '6.2.9200.25273', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2012 R2:[{'version': '6.3.9600.0', 'lessThan': '6.3.9600.22371', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}],Microsoft:Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation):[{'version': '6.3.9600.0', 'lessThan': '6.3.9600.22371', 'versionType': 'custom', 'status': 'affected'}]
Date Published
2025-01-14T18:03:51.083Z
Last Updated
2025-04-02T13:23:27.317Z