Patch management

Update Google Chrome to Fix Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Lens 

OEM Google Chrome 
Severity High 
CVSS 8.8 
CVEs CVE-2025-2476 
Exploited in Wild No 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

Google Chrome’s Lens component has been found to have a critical use-after-free vulnerability (CVE-2025-2476) that impacts Linux, Mac, and Windows. 

This vulnerability might compromise user systems by enabling remote attackers to run arbitrary code.  To lessen the danger, Google has issued security patches. 

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity Fixed Version 
 Use after free Vulnerability  CVE-2025-2476  Google Chrome  High  134.0.6998.117/.118 

Technical Summary 

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free (UAF) condition in Chrome’s Lens component. This occurs when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. Attackers can exploit this flaw using specially crafted HTML pages that trigger heap corruption. 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
  CVE-2025-2476   Windows, Mac, Linux   Use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome’s Lens component, leading to heap corruption and potential arbitrary code execution.  Remote code execution 

Remediation

  1. Open Google Chrome. 
  1. Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner. 
  1. Navigate to Help > About Google Chrome. 
  1. Allow Chrome to automatically check for and install the latest update. 
  1. Restart the browser to complete the update process. 
  • The update will roll out over the coming days and weeks, However, due to the critical nature of this security issue, users should not rely on automatic updates and should manually confirm they are running the latest version. 

Google has restricted detailed vulnerability information until a majority of users have applied the fix to prevent potential exploitation. 

A vulnerability has been discovered in Google Chrome, which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged-on user.

Depending on the privileges associated with the user an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts.

Threat Intelligence :

There are currently no reports of the vulnerability being exploited in the wild.

Conclusion: 

The possibility of remote code execution makes CVE-2025-2476 a serious security risk. It is highly recommended that users upgrade their Chrome browsers ASAP.

This vulnerability emphasizes how crucial it is to keep up with security patches on time and to be vigilant about new online threats. 

References: 

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WordPress Age Gate Plugin Critical Vulnerability (CVE-2025-2505) Affects Over 40,000 Websites 

The Age Gate plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local PHP File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.3 via the ‘lang’ parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server, allowing the execution of code in those files.

OEM WordPress 
Severity Critical 
CVSS score 9.8 
CVEs CVE-2025-2505 
Exploited in Wild No 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

A critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-2505) in the Age Gate plugin for WordPress allows unauthenticated Local PHP File Inclusion (LFI), potentially enabling remote code execution. This flaw affects all versions up to 3.5.3 and has been patched in version 3.5.4. Over 40,000 websites are affected by this vulnerability. 

This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity Fixed Version 
 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory  CVE-2025-2505  Age Gate WordPress Plugin  Critical  v3.5.4  

Technical Summary 

The vulnerability exists due to improper limitation of pathname input, leading to an unauthenticated Local PHP File Inclusion (LFI) attack through the lang parameter. This flaw can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary PHP files, bypass access controls, and compromise server security. 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
 CVE-2025-2505  WordPress websites using Age Gate Plugin (<=3.5.3)  Local PHP File Inclusion via ‘lang’ parameter allows execution of arbitrary PHP files.  Unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, potential full server compromise. 

Remediation

  • Update Age Gate plugin to version 3.5.4 or later as soon as possible. 

Conclusion: 

Attackers can potentially: – Include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server – Bypass access controls – Obtain sensitive site data – Achieve remote code execution – Compromise the entire WordPress site’s integrity and availability

This vulnerability poses a severe risk to WordPress websites utilizing the Age Gate plugin. Prompt patching and proactive security measures are crucial to mitigating potential attacks.

Users are strongly advised to update to the latest version without delay to protect their websites from unauthorized code execution. 

CVE-2025-2505 affects all versions of the Age Gate plugin for WordPress up to and including version 3.5.3.

References: 

Authentication Bypass Vulnerability in FortiOS & FortiProxy 

Summary 

A critical authentication bypass vulnerability [CWE-288] has been identified in FortiOS and FortiProxy, tracked as CVE-2025-24472 . This is affecting their affecting FortiOS and FortiProxy products and being exploited in the wild.

OEM Fortinet 
Severity Critical 
CVSS 9.6 
CVEs CVE-2025-24472 
Exploited in Wild Yes 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

This flaw, with the CVSSv3 score of 9.6, could allow a remote attacker to obtain super-admin privileges by sending specially crafted requests to the Node.js WebSocket module.

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity Affected Version 
Authentication Bypass Vulnerability CVE-2025-24472 FortiOS FortiProxy Critical  FortiOS v7.0 – v7.0.16   FortiProxy v7.0 – v7.0.19 FortiProxy v7.2 – v7.2.12 

Technical Summary 

CVE ID Vulnerability Details Impact 
  CVE-2025-24472   An authentication bypass using an alternate path (CWE-288) vulnerability in FortiOS and FortiProxy , present in certain versions, could enable a remote attacker to obtain super-admin privileges by sending requests to the Node.js websocket module or by crafting CSF proxy requests.   Execute unauthorized code or commands 

Recommendations

  • Update: Ensure that the appropriate patches or updates are applied to the relevant versions listed below 
Version Fixes and Releases 
FortiOS 7.0 – 7.0.16 Upgrade to 7.0.17 or latest version 
FortiProxy 7.0 – 7.0.19 Upgrade to 7.0.20 or latest version 
FortiProxy 7.2 – 7.2.12 Upgrade to 7.2.13 or latest version 

Workarounds: 

Below are some workarounds provided by the Fortinet team. 

  • Disable HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface 
  • Limit IP addresses that can reach the administrative interface via local-in policies 

According to Fortinet, attackers exploit the two vulnerabilities to generate random admin or local users on affected devices, adding them to new and existing SSL VPN user groups. They have also been seen modifying firewall policies and other configurations and accessing SSLVPN instances with previously established rogue accounts “to gain a tunnel to the internal network.network.”

References: 

7Zip Mark-Of-The-Web Vulnerability

A high severity vulnerability in 7-Zip is exploiting in the wild. This vulnerability, identified as a Mark-of-the-Web (MoTW) bypass, allows attackers to craft a double archive file that, when extracted, bypasses MoTW protections.

OEM7Zip
SeverityHigh
CVSS7.0
CVEsCVE-2025-0411
Exploited in WildYes
Patch/Remediation AvailableYes
Advisory Version1.0

Overview

The vulnerability enables threat actors to create archives containing malicious scripts or executables, which, due to the flaw, will not receive the usual MoTW protection.

This exposes Windows users to potential attacks and has recently been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Furthermore, a Proof of Concept (PoC) for this vulnerability has been publicly released, increasing the risk of exploitation.

7-Zip vulnerability allows attackers to bypass the Mark of the Web (MotW) Windows security feature and was exploited by Russian hackers as a zero-day since September 2024.

Vulnerability NameCVE IDProduct AffectedSeverity
  MOTW Bypass vulnerability  CVE-2025-0411  7zip  High

Technical Summary

This vulnerability bypasses the Mark-of-the-Web (MoTW) feature, a security measure in Windows operating systems that flags files originating from the internet as potentially untrusted. MoTW is typically applied to files like downloaded documents, images, or executable files, which prompts a warning when opened. However, this vulnerability occurs when 7-Zip fails to properly propagate MoTW protections to files inside double-encapsulated archives.

An attacker can craft an archive containing another archive (a “double archive”), and 7-Zip did not properly propagate MoTW protections to the content to the inner archive.

This flaw allows any malicious content in the inner archive to be executed without triggering any security warnings. Consequently, this exposes Windows users to the risk of remote code execution and other malicious activities.

CVE IDSystem AffectedVulnerability DetailsImpact
CVE-2025-04117Zip Prior to v24.09    This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through double-encapsulated archives that bypass MoTW protections.Arbitrary remote code injection, potential system compromise

Remediation:

Update 7zip to v24.09 or the latest version. Installing the latest version will ensure that vulnerability is addressed, protecting systems from potential exploitation.

Generic Recommendations

  • Exercise Caution with File Extraction: Always verify the source before extracting files, especially from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.
  • Enhance User Awareness: Educate users on identifying phishing attempts and avoiding clicks on suspicious links or attachments.
  • Monitor for Anomalies: Continuously monitor systems for signs of exploitation, unusual file extraction behaviors, or unauthorized access attempts.

Conclusion

The MoTW bypass vulnerability in 7-Zip represents a serious security concern for Windows users, as it allows attackers to circumvent protective measures and execute malicious code. Updating to the latest version of 7-Zip is the recommended action to ensure systems are protected against this vulnerability.

References:

#CyberSecurity #7Zip #SecurityAdvisory #VulnerabilityManagement #CISO #CXO #PatchManagement #Intrucept

High-Severity SMB Server Flaws (CVE-2024-56626 & CVE-2024-56627) in Linux Kernel 

High-Severity SMB Server Flaws (CVE-2024-56626 & CVE-2024-56627) in Linux Kernel 

Jordy Zomer, a Security researcher have recently discovered two critical vulnerabilities in KSMBD, the in-kernel SMB server for Linux. These vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-56626 and CVE-2024-56627, could allow attackers to gain control of vulnerable systems.

SUMMARY

OEM  Linux 
Severity  High 
CVSS  7.8 
CVEs  CVE-2024-56626, CVE-2024-56627  
Exploited in Wild   No 
Publicly POC Available  Yes 
Patch/Remediation Available  Yes 
Advisory Version  1.0 

These vulnerabilities affect Linux kernel versions greater than 5.15 and have been addressed in version 6.13-rc2. Proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits have been publicly released, emphasizing the critical nature of these issues. 

Vulnerability Name  CVE ID  Product Affected  Severity  Affected Version 
Out-of-bounds write vulnerability in ksmbd.  CVE-2024-56626  Linux  High  Linux kernel versions greater than 5.15  
Out-of-bounds read vulnerability in ksmbd.  CVE-2024-56627   Linux  High  Linux kernel versions greater than 5.15  

Technical Summary 

CVE ID  System Affected  Vulnerability Details  Impact 
CVE-2024-56626     Linux Kernel  A vulnerability in ksmbd’s ksmbd_vfs_stream_write allowed negative offsets from clients, causing out-of-bounds writes and potential memory corruption. It was triggered when using vfs objects = streams_xattr in ksmbd.conf. The issue has been fixed in recent kernel updates.    Attackers can execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges  
CVE-2024-56627      Linux Kernel  A vulnerability in ksmbd’s ksmbd_vfs_stream_write allowed negative client offsets, enabling out-of-bounds writes and potential memory corruption. This issue occurred when the vfs objects = streams_xattr parameter was set in ksmbd.conf and has been resolved in recent kernel updates.   Attackers can read sensitive kernel memory, leading to information disclosure 

Remediation

  • Update: Ensure that the appropriate patches or updates are applied to the relevant versions 

 listed below 

Version  Fixes and Releases 
 kernel version > 5.15  kernel version 6.13-rc2  

Conclusion: 

The discovery of CVE-2024-56626 and CVE-2024-56627 highlights critical security flaws in the Linux kernel’s SMB server implementation. Given the availability of proof-of-concept exploits, immediate action is essential to protect systems from potential exploitation. Regularly updating systems and applying security patches are vital practices to maintain a secure environment. 

References: 

 

 

Zero-Day Vulnerability in Windows (CVE-2024-49138): PoC Released, Exploited in the Wild

Summary

OEM

Microsoft

Severity

Critical

CVSS Score

7.8

CVE

CVE-2024-49138

Exploited in Wild

Yes

Patch/Remediation Available

Yes

Advisory Version

1.0

Publicly POC Available

Yes


Overview

The vulnerability CVE-2024-49138, affecting the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS) driver, enables attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges via a heap-based buffer overflow. Security researcher MrAle_98 published a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit, increasing its potential misuse.

Vulnerability Name

CVE ID

Product Affected

Severity

CLFS Privilege Escalation

CVE-2024-49138

Microsoft Windows

High

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-49138 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS) driver, allowing attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level. It affects a wide range of Windows systems, including the latest versions, such as Windows 11 23H2. Initially discovered by CrowdStrike’s Advanced Research Team, Microsoft confirmed active exploitation prior to its December 2024 patch release. Security researcher MrAle_98 published a proof-of-concept exploit on GitHub, increasing the likelihood of threat actor replication and exploitation.

CVE ID

System Affected

Vulnerability Details

Impact

CVE-2024-49138

Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2008–2025

Heap buffer overflow in CLFS driver enabling SYSTEM access. Exploited in the wild and PoC publicly released.

Enables attackers to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, granting them complete control over an affected device.

Remediations

  1. Update Systems: Apply Microsoft’s December 2024 patches without delay.
  2. Monitor Systems: Be alert for unusual privilege escalations or indicators of compromise.
  3. Limit Access: Implement robust access controls and harden systems.

Conclusion:

The public release of a proof-of-concept exploit heightens risks, making immediate patching essential. Organizations must prioritize updates, monitor for exploitation, and implement strict access controls.

GitLab Releases Patch to Fix Critical and High-Severity Vulnerabilities 

GitLab releases fixes for vulnerabilities in patch releases. There are two types of patch releases: scheduled releases, and ad-hoc critical patches for high-severity vulnerabilities.

Summary 

OEM  Gitlab 
Severity  High 
CVEs  CVE-2024-5655, CVE-2024-6385, CVE-2024-6678, CVE-2024-8970, CVE-2025-0194, CVE-2024-6324, CVE-2024-12431, CVE-2024-13041 
Exploited in Wild  No 
Patch/Remediation Available  Yes 
Advisory Version  1.0 

Overview 

The vulnerabilities could potentially impact unauthorized access, data manipulation, and service disruption. These have been disclosed through GitLab’s HackerOne bug bounty program. Latest Versions 17.7.1, 17.6.3, and 17.5.5 are now available for immediate download and upgrade to address these issues. 

Vulnerability Name  CVE ID  Product Affected  Severity 
Import Functionality Vulnerabilities  CVE-2024-6385  GitLab CE/EE  Critical 
Import Functionality Vulnerabilities   CVE-2024-5655   GitLab CE/EE  High 
Import Functionality Vulnerabilities  CVE-2024-6678  GitLab CE/EE  High 
Import Functionality Vulnerabilities  CVE-2024-8970  GitLab CE/EE  High 
Access Token Exposure in Logs  CVE-2025-0194  GitLab CE/EE  Medium 
Cyclic Reference of Epics Leading to DoS  CVE-2024-6324  GitLab CE/EE  Medium 
Unauthorized Manipulation of Issue Status  CVE-2024-12431  GitLab CE/EE  Medium 
Instance SAML Bypass  CVE-2024-13041  GitLab CE/EE  Medium 

Technical Summary 

This update addresses several significant vulnerabilities identified in GitLab CE/EE: 

CVE ID  System Affected  Vulnerability Details  Impact 
CVE-2024-6385     GitLab CE/EE      Vulnerability in import functionality allowing potential exploitation      Allows attackers to exploit the system.  
CVE-2024-5655 
CVE-2024-6678 
CVE-2024-8970 
CVE-2025-0194  GitLab CE/EE  Possible exposure of access tokens in logs under certain conditions.  Potential unauthorized access to sensitive resources. 
CVE-2024-6324  GitLab CE/EE  Cyclic references between epics could lead to resource exhaustion, causing a Denial of Service (DoS).  Service disruption due to resource exhaustion. 
CVE-2024-12431  GitLab CE/EE  Unauthorized users could manipulate issue statuses in public projects, potentially disrupting workflows.  Workflow disruption and compromised data integrity. 
CVE-2024-13041  GitLab CE/EE  Flaw in instance SAML configuration allowing bypass of external provider settings.  Unauthorized access to internal projects or groups. 

Key Changes to Import Functionality: 

  • Post-import mapping: This new feature allows administrators to assign imported contributions and memberships to users after the import process is complete, enhancing control and security. 
  • Email-independent mapping: The updated mapping process no longer relies on email addresses, providing greater flexibility and security when importing from instances with different email domains. 
  • User control: Users on the destination instance now have the power to accept or reject assigned contributions, adding another layer of security and preventing unauthorized access. 

Remediation

  • Upgrade GitLab Instances: All users are strongly advised to upgrade to versions 17.7.1, 17.6.3, or 17.5.5 immediately to mitigate these vulnerabilities. 
  • Disable Importers Temporarily: Until upgrades are complete, disable importers to avoid exploitation. If import functionality is essential, enable it only during the import process and disable it afterward. 
  • Adopt Updated Features: Leverage the new post-import mapping, email-independent mapping, and user control enhancements for increased security.  

Conclusion: 

The vulnerabilities addressed in this patch release highlight the importance of timely updates and proactive security measures. GitLab’s redesign of its import functionality and the prompt patch release demonstrate a commitment to user security. Upgrading to the latest patched versions and adhering to the recommended actions is critical to maintaining a secure environment.  

References: 

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