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Welcome to November 2025’s Patch Tuesday! As the year winds down and pumpkin spice lingers on your lattes, it’s time to review this month’s key vulnerabilities and what you can do to stay secure.
This month’s lineup highlights some recurring issues – kernel privilege escalations, remote code execution in the Windows Subsystem for Linux, and emerging risks tied to AI-integrated developer tools.
For more insights, be sure to give the Patch [FIX] Tuesday podcast a listen.
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CVE-2025-62215 [Important]
Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVE-2025-62215 is a Windows kernel elevation of privilege vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.0/10. Exploitation has been detected in the wild.
This vulnerability affects the Windows kernel – the core of the operating system that manages communication between software and hardware. While people often associate kernels with Linux, Windows has its own, as do all operating systems.
Due to their system-level nature, kernel vulnerabilities demand immediate attention – if exploited, they can grant attackers deep control over the core of your operating system.
CVE-2025-62215 requires local access and user interaction. Common exploit paths may be running a malicious attachment or a script downloaded from an unverified source. Exploitation requires winning a race condition, making exploitation complex but possible.
Attackers who succeed can escalate privileges, potentially allowing them to bypass security policies and run unauthorized code.
How Attackers May Exploit Kernel Vulnerabilities
Use phishing or malicious file downloads to gain local execution
Exploit the race condition to elevate privileges within the system
Modify kernel memory or process permissions for persistence
What to Look Out For
Unexpected system reboots or blue screens
Unauthorized privilege changes or new admin-level accounts
Suspicious kernel driver installations
Mitigation Guidance
Reinforce employee training on phishing and unverified downloads. Training still remains the most effective cybersecurity tool
Patch affected systems as soon as possible
Use EDR tools to monitor kernel-level behavior
Enforce least-privilege access so users have only the permissions required for their roles.
– Ryan Braunstein, Security Manager, Automox
CVE-2025-62220 [Important]
Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2025-62220 affects the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a compatibility layer that enables Linux tools to run directly within Windows. With a CVSS score of 8.8, this remote code execution vulnerability stems from how RDP handles plugin loading through the /plugin option. A maliciously crafted plugin can execute arbitrary code remotely via heap-based buffer overflow if an attacker convinces a user to open a crafted RDP file, which then could lead to RCE on the Windows host.
Because this flaw exists at the interface between Windows and Linux environments, the potential impact extends beyond typical user-level compromises. Attackers who successfully exploit this vector can execute code under the context of the logged-in user, or escalate privileges for deeper system access.
How Attackers May Exploit This WSL Vulnerability
Deploy malicious RDP files that automatically load crafted plugins
Exploit misconfigured or unmonitored RDP environments to trigger execution
What to Look Out For
Unexpected prompts to install or enable msrdc plugins (msrdc supports plugins via /plugin and extension points)
Unusual or elevated network traffic associated with RDP or WSL activity
Alert on msrdc.exe crashes (access violations), unexpected DLL loads or child processes spawned by msrdc.exe, and new network connections to unknown RDP servers. Hunt for signs of exploitation.
Mitigation Guidance
Patch all Windows and WSL components through Microsoft Update
Disable or tightly restrict RDP services unless absolutely necessary
Use Group Policy or Intune to control and limit plugin loading
Regularly audit open ports and RDP configurations for unnecessary exposure
Separate developer/VM environments and limit which hosts can initiate RDP/WSLg sessions to sensitive hosts
– Mat Lee, Senior Security Engineer, Automox
CVE-2025-62222 [Important]
Agentic AI and Visual Studio Code Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2025-62222, (CVSS 8.8/10) affects Visual Studio Code’s CoPilot Chat extension. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of command-line inputs, creating a command-injection pathway. In practice, a crafted prompt or malicious update could execute unauthorized code on a developer’s system – giving attackers remote control and access to sensitive development environments.
CoPilot Chat operates with elevated privileges to streamline development workflows, but that same access increases risk. The extension can read and modify project directories, adjust configuration files, and interact with CI/CD pipelines. As AI tooling becomes more integrated into everyday development, these endpoints are emerging as prime targets for exploitation.
How Attackers May Exploit This VS Code Plugin Vulnerability
Craft prompts or updates that execute arbitrary shell commands
Abuse the CoPilot Chat extension’s network connectivity to deliver malicious payloads
Modify or inject code within repositories or pipeline configurations
What to Look Out For
Unexpected or unauthorized extension installations or updates
Repository files modified without clear commit history
Unusual outbound network activity from developer systems
Mitigation Guidance
Vet and update VS Code extensions only from trusted sources
Enforce workspace trust settings and restrict extension permissions
Monitor EDR alerts for command injection or PowerShell execution
Educate developers on supply chain and extension security best practices
– Ryan Braunstein, Security Manager, Automox
Patch Regularly, Patch Often
Each month reinforces the same principle: consistent patching is one of the simplest, most effective defenses you have. From kernel-level flaws to developer tooling vulnerabilities, timely updates keep attack surfaces small and resilience high.
Combine those updates with regular training, network hygiene, and a culture of awareness, and you’ll stay ahead of most threats heading into the new year.
Until next month: Patch regularly, patch often.
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