CVE-2025-26633: 
vulnerability analysis and mitigation

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) contains a security feature bypass vulnerability (CVE-2025-26633) that was discovered and disclosed on March 11, 2025. This vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally. The vulnerability affects various versions of Microsoft Windows Server and has been assigned a CVSSv3 score of 7.0 (HIGH) (NVD, Tenable).

The vulnerability is characterized by improper neutralization in the Microsoft Management Console, requiring an attacker to convince a potential target with either standard user or admin privileges to open a malicious file. This is the second zero-day in the MMC to be exploited in the wild since CVE-2024-43572. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSSv3 base score of 7.0 with the following vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (Tenable).

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass security features on the affected system when accessed locally. The high CVSS score indicates significant potential impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system (NVD).

Microsoft has released patches as part of their March 2025 Patch Tuesday update. Organizations are required to apply mitigations per vendor instructions by April 1, 2025, as mandated by CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Federal agencies must follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable (CISA).