August 2025 Patch Tuesday: What to Expect & Key Updates
▼ Summary
– July began with a calm Patch Tuesday featuring 130 CVEs but only one publicly disclosed, though later SharePoint vulnerabilities increased activity.
– Microsoft released multiple SharePoint fixes after initial patches were bypassed, including CVE-2025-53770 and CVE-2025-53771, urging machine key rotations.
– CISA flagged the SharePoint flaws as exploited, linking them to ransomware and requiring immediate fixes by federal agencies.
– Google and Apple issued major updates, including a Chromium zero-day (CVE-2025-6558) and fixes for 41–89 CVEs across Apple’s OS versions.
– August Patch Tuesday is expected to include SharePoint updates, potential .NET/SQL Server fixes, and regular updates from Adobe, Apple, Google, and Mozilla.
The cybersecurity landscape remains dynamic as organizations brace for the August 2025 Patch Tuesday updates. July proved unexpectedly busy, starting with a relatively quiet Patch Tuesday but quickly escalating as new vulnerabilities emerged. While Microsoft initially addressed 130 CVEs with minimal public exposure, the situation intensified when SharePoint flaws were exploited, prompting urgent hotfixes. Exchange Server configuration issues and major updates from Google and Apple further compounded the month’s challenges.
CISA has flagged critical SharePoint vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for immediate action. Earlier this year, the ToolShell attack chain exploited SharePoint weaknesses, leading to patches in July’s updates. However, attackers bypassed these fixes, forcing Microsoft to release additional hardened patches (CVE-2025-53770 and CVE-2025-53771). Organizations must apply these updates and rotate machine keys to fully mitigate risks. Reports indicate ransomware campaigns leveraging these flaws, prompting CISA to mandate federal agencies to patch immediately. Expect these fixes to be bundled into August’s Patch Tuesday releases.
Beyond Microsoft, Google and Apple rolled out critical updates. Google’s July 16th Chromium patch addressed CVE-2025-6558, a zero-day sandbox escape vulnerability. Apple, meanwhile, delivered extensive fixes across its ecosystem, Ventura (41 CVEs), Sonoma (50 CVEs), and Sequoia (89 CVEs), alongside Safari updates resolving 17 vulnerabilities.
Looking ahead, August’s Patch Tuesday will likely prioritize SharePoint patches, but administrators should also prepare for potential .NET or SQL Server updates. Adobe Creative Cloud may see another round of patches, possibly focusing on Photoshop. While Apple’s late-July updates should provide temporary relief, Google Chrome patches often arrive late on Patch Tuesday. Mozilla, last updated on July 22nd, is due for Firefox and Thunderbird releases, including ESR versions.
Securing software often feels like a never-ending battle, just as one vulnerability is patched, another emerges. Microsoft’s recent SharePoint struggles echo past incidents like PrintNightmare, reminding us that vigilance and timely updates remain critical. With attackers constantly evolving their tactics, staying ahead requires proactive measures and thorough patch management.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
