Actively Exploited — CISA KEV

CVE-2025-29824: Microsoft Windows High-Severity Vulnerability

Severity: High | CVSS 3.1: 7.8 | Published: 2025-04-08 | KEV Added: 2025-04-08

What is CVE-2025-29824?

Use after free in Windows Common Log File System Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Technical Analysis

Weakness Classification

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 — Use After Free. The software accesses memory after it has been freed, which can lead to crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution.

Attack Vector Breakdown

  • Attack Vector: Local
  • Attack Complexity: Low
  • Privileges Required: Low
  • User Interaction: None
  • Scope: Unchanged
  • Confidentiality: High
  • Integrity: High
  • Availability: High

Impact Analysis

Exploitation requires local access to the target system, such as a local user session or a malicious file opened by a user. The attack complexity is low, meaning exploitation does not depend on specialized conditions or race windows. Successful exploitation can result in full confidentiality breach (complete data disclosure), complete integrity compromise (data modification or code execution), total availability loss (denial of service). The software accesses memory after it has been freed, which can lead to crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution.

Exploitation Probability (EPSS): 0.83% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (75th percentile). While the base probability may appear low, inclusion in CISA KEV confirms real-world exploitation is already occurring.

Is CVE-2025-29824 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2025-29824 is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, restricted to CVEs with confirmed active exploitation in the wild. CISA added this vulnerability on 2025-04-08. Inclusion in KEV triggers the patching mandate under BOD 22-01 for U.S. federal civilian agencies, with a remediation deadline of 2025-04-29.

How to fix CVE-2025-29824

Apply the latest security update via Windows Update, WSUS, or Microsoft Update Catalog. For enterprise environments, use SCCM/Intune for managed deployment. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, check the MSRC advisory for workarounds such as registry-based mitigations or disabling affected features. Check the Microsoft Security Response Center page for the specific patch or update. CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog requires U.S. federal agencies to remediate this vulnerability by the due date shown below under Binding Operational Directive 22-01. Private organizations should treat KEV entries as priority-one patches because active exploitation has been confirmed in the wild.

Related Vulnerabilities

Other actively exploited vulnerabilities affecting Windows or sharing the same weakness (CWE-416):

  • CVE-2025-62221 (High 7.8) [same product + same CWE] — Use after free in Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver allows an authorized…
  • CVE-2025-32709 (High 7.8) [same product + same CWE] — Null pointer dereference in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock…
  • CVE-2008-4250 (Critical 9.8) [same product] — The Server service in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003…
  • CVE-2026-32202 (Medium 4.3) [same product] — Protection mechanism failure in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker…
  • CVE-2025-60710 (High 7.8) [same product] — Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process…

Frequently asked questions

Is CVE-2025-29824 critical?

CVE-2025-29824 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 — High severity. It should be treated as a priority patch, especially given the active exploitation confirmed by CISA.

Is CVE-2025-29824 being actively exploited?

Yes — CISA added CVE-2025-29824 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-04-08. Inclusion in KEV means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation.

How do I patch CVE-2025-29824?

Apply the security update from Microsoft for Windows. Federal agencies must remediate by 2025-04-29 under BOD 22-01. Refer to the Microsoft Security Response Center for the official patch.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-29824?

CVE-2025-29824 is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free). The software accesses memory after it has been freed, which can lead to crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-29824?

CVE-2025-29824 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, classifying it as High severity. The attack vector is Local, attack complexity is Low, and non-zero privileges are required.