CVE-2025-49695: 
vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-49695 is a Critical remote code execution vulnerability discovered in Microsoft Office. The vulnerability was disclosed on July 8, 2025, affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Office including Office 2016, 2019, Microsoft 365 Apps, and Office Long Term Servicing Channel 2021 for both x64 and x86 architectures (NVD, Microsoft Advisory).

The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally. It has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4 HIGH with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The vulnerability can be triggered without user interaction, including through the preview pane functionality in Outlook or File Explorer (CrowdStrike Analysis).

When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the same privileges as the compromised application. The attack can be triggered through the preview pane, making it particularly dangerous as users don't need to open files to trigger the exploit (CrowdStrike Analysis).

Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability as part of the July 2025 Patch Tuesday updates. The fix is available through Microsoft Update, Microsoft Update Catalog, and Microsoft Download Center. For Office 2016 installations, the security update KB5002742 must be applied (Microsoft Support).