Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday release addresses an alarming number of security vulnerabilities, with cybersecurity experts describing the situation as extraordinary. The March 2025 update tackles 67 vulnerabilities in total, including six zero-days already being actively exploited by attackers, prompting urgent warnings from security agencies.
Critical Security Situation
The March 2025 Patch Tuesday has been described by Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative as containing an extraordinary number of actively exploited bugs. The update addresses 67 CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) in total, with 56 affecting Microsoft's own products including Windows, Office, Azure, .NET, Visual Studio, Remote Desktop Services, DNS Server, and Hyper-V Server. The remaining vulnerabilities involve third-party components. The U.S. cyber defense agency has issued a stark warning, advising users to update their PCs by April 1st or turn them off completely to avoid potential attacks.
March 2025 Patch Tuesday Vulnerabilities
- Total CVEs: 67
- Microsoft product CVEs: 56
- Zero-day vulnerabilities: 7
- Actively exploited zero-days: 6
- Critical vulnerabilities: 6
Vulnerability Types Fixed
- Elevation of privilege flaws: 23
- Remote code execution flaws: 23
- Security feature bypass flaws: 3
- Information disclosure flaws: 4
- Denial of service flaws: 1
- Spoofing flaws: 3
Windows 10 End-of-Support Timeline
- End-of-support date: October 14, 2025
- Current Windows 10 market share: Below 60%
- Current Windows 11 market share: Approaching 40%
- Monthly migration rate: Approximately 2% of install base
Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Under Attack
Of particular concern are the seven zero-day vulnerabilities included in this update, six of which are already being actively exploited by attackers. These include two remote code execution vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-24985 and CVE-2025-24993) that allow attackers to trick users into mounting malicious VHD files, two information disclosure vulnerabilities in Windows NTFS that could lead to data theft, a privilege escalation flaw in the Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem, and a security feature bypass vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console. The seventh zero-day, though not yet exploited, allows remote code execution in Microsoft Office Access when a user opens a malicious file.
Windows 10 End-of-Support Concerns
This update takes on additional significance as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. Approximately 800 million users are still running Windows 10, with an estimated 240 million using devices that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. These users face a critical decision in the coming months: purchase new hardware compatible with Windows 11, pay for extended security updates, or risk running an unsupported operating system vulnerable to future attacks.
Migration Progress to Windows 11
Recent data shows Windows 10 market share has dropped below 60% for the first time, with Windows 11 approaching 40%. The migration appears to be accelerating at about 2% of the install base per month. Microsoft has been reinforcing that Windows 11 upgrades are only available for fully licensed Windows 10 machines that meet the technical requirements, and has begun displaying prominent warnings about the upcoming end of support during updates.
How to Protect Your System
Microsoft automatically pushes security updates to most users, but it's crucial to verify your system is up to date. Users can check by going to Start > Settings > Windows Update and selecting Check for Windows updates. Given the severity of the vulnerabilities being patched, cybersecurity experts strongly recommend installing these updates immediately to protect against potential attacks. For Windows 10 users facing the October support deadline, planning for either an upgrade or system replacement should be a priority to avoid security risks.