Microsoft Fixes Windows URL Parsing Remote Code Execution Bug (CVE-2025-59295)
Microsoft's Security Update Guide details CVE-2025-59295, a Windows URL parsing vulnerability that can lead to remote code execution when a user interacts with a specially crafted link or file. The flaw affects MSHTML/EdgeHTML ingestion paths used across Internet Explorer compatibility modes and other host applications. While exploitation requires user interaction, successful attacks allow arbitrary code execution and possible privilege escalation depending on the host context. Microsoft lists this as an Important/High-severity issue with a CVSS score in the high range and recommends applying the October 2025 cumulative and IE cumulative updates. Enterprises should prioritize patching internet-facing clients and servers that handle external content and audit applications that host MSHTML/EdgeHTML for exposure.
CORTEX Protocol Intelligence Assessment
Business Impact: Elevated risk for client-hosted environments where users may open attacker-crafted content. Technical Context: Heap-based parsing vulnerabilities can enable control-flow hijack via malformed URL handling.
Strategic Intelligence Guidance
- Deploy October 2025 Windows cumulative updates across affected systems.
- Harden applications that process URLs and restrict content rendering for untrusted sources.
- Harden email clients and block risky attachment types where possible.
- Monitor for suspicious process creation and script execution tied to user-initiated URL handling.
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Intelligence Source: CVE-2025-59295 - Security Update Guide - Microsoft | Oct 24, 2025