March 2025 Patch Tuesday: A Stabilizing Security Landscape

As we step into March 2025, IT administrators and cybersecurity professionals can breathe a collective sigh of relief. After a turbulent January that saw over 100 vulnerabilities patched, Microsoft’s security update cycle appears to be stabilizing. February’s Patch Tuesday brought a more manageable set of updates, and the March release is expected to continue this trend. However, with major changes on the horizon—including the end-of-life for Windows 10 and Exchange Server—staying ahead of the patching curve remains a priority.

February’s Patch Tuesday Recap: A Return to Normalcy

February’s security updates reflected a shift back to Microsoft’s standard patching cadence. A total of 37 CVEs were addressed in Windows 11 and 33 in Windows 10, alongside patches for Office 365 and Office 2016. Unlike January’s massive vulnerability mitigation efforts, February’s patches targeted more specific security concerns rather than widespread system threats.

One notable update addressed drag-and-drop functionality in Outlook, which had been affected by a non-security update in January and February’s security patch. The March preview release has resolved this issue, providing a seamless experience for users relying on this feature.

Another major fix included in the preview update was for SSH connections, which had been unreliable across multiple operating systems since October 2024. This resolution ensures that administrators relying on secure remote management tools can now function without disruption.

Additionally, Microsoft rolled out a service-level fix for CVE-2025-24989, a vulnerability within Power Pages on the Microsoft Power Platform. This flaw allowed unauthorized attackers to elevate privileges over a network, potentially bypassing user registration controls. With the fix now in place, enterprises leveraging Power Pages can have increased confidence in their security posture.

Upcoming March 2025 Patch Tuesday Expectations

Based on recent trends and security needs, March’s Patch Tuesday is expected to bring:

• A likely increase in security patches beyond February’s 37 CVEs for Windows 11 and 33 for Windows 10.
• A possible Exchange Server update, considering ongoing preview work in the previous month.
• Further refinements to Outlook and SSH functionality, ensuring users experience fewer disruptions.
• Continued improvements in security hardening to counter evolving attack vectors such as polymorphic browser extensions and botnet-driven exploits against Microsoft 365.

While Microsoft is expected to maintain its usual level of transparency in these updates, IT administrators should remain vigilant and test patches in controlled environments before full deployment.

Critical Announcements from Microsoft

Beyond security updates, Microsoft has made several key announcements that impact IT operations:

• WSUS Driver Synchronization Deprecation: As of April 18, 2025, WSUS driver synchronization will be deprecated. While drivers will still be available in the update catalog, administrators will no longer be able to import them into WSUS. This move encourages organizations to transition to modern driver management solutions within Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
• End-of-Life Warnings: October 14, 2025, marks a significant milestone as Microsoft will release the final updates for Windows 10, Exchange Server 2016, and Exchange Server 2019. Organizations still relying on these products must begin migration planning immediately to avoid security risks.
• Microsoft Teams Migration Encouragement: As legacy communication platforms phase out, Microsoft continues to push organizations toward Teams for integrated collaboration and messaging. Given past transitions—such as Skype’s discontinuation—businesses should anticipate similar moves in other legacy software.

Beyond Microsoft: Industry-Wide Patch Updates

While Microsoft dominates Patch Tuesday discussions, other major vendors also play a critical role in enterprise security.

• Adobe Updates: Adobe recently updated several Creative Cloud apps, suggesting that March will see fewer updates. However, expect a significant release for Adobe Acrobat and Reader in April.
• Apple Updates: Apple rolled out comprehensive OS and application updates on February 10. If the company maintains its current cadence, another round of updates should arrive later in March.

Google Chrome Releases: Chrome Desktop 135 has entered the Beta channel for Windows, Mac, and Linux, meaning the general availability release is imminent. Enterprises should prepare to deploy this version as soon as it is stable.

• Mozilla Security Updates: Mozilla has already released security updates this month, including three Extended Support Releases (ESR) rated Critical and updates to Firefox and Thunderbird 136, rated High. Organizations should ensure these updates are applied promptly.

Preparing for Patch Tuesday: Best Practices for IT Administrators

With a clearer patching cadence emerging, IT teams should adopt a proactive approach to security updates. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Test Updates Before Deployment: Deploy patches in a staging environment first to ensure compatibility with enterprise applications and workflows.
2. Prioritize Critical Updates: Identify vulnerabilities marked as Critical and address them as soon as possible, especially those with known exploits.
3. Automate Patching Where Possible: Use tools like Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) or Tanium to streamline patch deployment and monitoring.
4. Stay Informed: Regularly monitor Microsoft’s release notes, CVE databases, and security advisories to anticipate and address potential issues before they become widespread.
5. Train End-Users: Even with robust patch management, social engineering remains a significant threat. Conduct regular security awareness training to prevent phishing and other user-driven attacks.

Final Thoughts: A Smoother Path Ahead

March 2025’s Patch Tuesday signals a return to predictability after a chaotic start to the year. While vulnerabilities continue to emerge, Microsoft’s structured updates and ongoing security enhancements provide a solid foundation for IT teams to maintain secure environments.

However, challenges remain. With WSUS synchronization changes, upcoming product end-of-life deadlines, and evolving attack vectors, IT leaders must take a proactive stance in security planning. The time to prepare for Windows 10’s retirement and Exchange Server’s sunset is now.

As we look ahead, the key takeaway is clear: while March’s Patch Tuesday brings stability, the security landscape remains dynamic. Organizations must remain agile, continuously refining their patch management strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Stay vigilant, stay patched, and stay secure.