CVE-2025-49220: 
Apex Central vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-49220 is a critical vulnerability discovered in Trend Micro Apex Central below version 8.0.7007. The vulnerability was reported by Piotr Bazydlo through the Zero Day Initiative and publicly disclosed on June 11, 2025. This security flaw affects the ConvertFromJson method implementation in Trend Micro Apex Central and could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations without requiring authentication (ZDI Advisory, NVD).

The vulnerability stems from an insecure deserialization operation in the ConvertFromJson method, where proper validation of user-supplied data is lacking. It has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with the vector string AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating network accessibility, low attack complexity, and no required privileges or user interaction. The weakness has been classified as CWE-477 (Use of Obsolete Function) (ZDI Advisory, Trend Micro).

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of NETWORK SERVICE on affected installations. The critical CVSS score of 9.8 indicates potential for complete compromise of system confidentiality, integrity, and availability (ZDI Advisory).

Trend Micro has released Critical Patch B7007 to address this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include Network IPS rules/filters: TippingPoint and Trend Micro Cloud One - Network Security Filter 35498, and Trend Micro Cloud One - Workload Security and Deep Security Rule 1012375. Organizations are strongly encouraged to update to the latest builds immediately and review remote access policies to critical systems (Trend Micro).