CVE-2025-64676 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-94, indicating improper control over code generation, commonly known as code injection. This flaw exists in Microsoft Purview, a data governance and compliance platform widely used in enterprise environments. The vulnerability allows an attacker with authorized access and high privileges to execute arbitrary code remotely over the network, potentially compromising the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 reflects a high severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), and requiring high privileges (PR:H). No user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability was published on December 18, 2025, with no known exploits in the wild at the time of disclosure. Although specific affected versions are not listed, the vulnerability affects Microsoft Purview installations that have not yet been patched. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for organizations to monitor updates closely. The vulnerability’s nature allows attackers to inject and execute malicious code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of services. Given Microsoft Purview’s role in managing sensitive data and compliance workflows, exploitation could have severe consequences for data governance and regulatory adherence.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-64676 can be substantial. Microsoft Purview is often deployed in enterprises and public sector organizations to manage data compliance, privacy, and governance, making it a critical component of IT infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to access sensitive data, alter compliance records, or disrupt data governance processes. This could result in regulatory violations under GDPR and other data protection laws, financial penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. The high privileges required to exploit the vulnerability mean that insider threats or compromised administrative accounts pose significant risks. Additionally, the network-based attack vector increases the potential for lateral movement within corporate networks. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but organizations must act swiftly to prevent exploitation once patches become available.

1. Monitor Microsoft’s official channels for patch releases addressing CVE-2025-64676 and apply updates immediately upon availability. 2. Restrict administrative and high-privilege access to Microsoft Purview to only essential personnel, employing the principle of least privilege. 3. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts with elevated privileges to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Conduct regular audits of Purview access logs and network traffic to detect unusual or unauthorized activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Employ network segmentation to isolate Microsoft Purview servers from less trusted network zones, limiting potential lateral movement. 6. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify suspicious code execution behaviors on systems running Purview. 7. Educate administrators about the risks of code injection vulnerabilities and the importance of secure configuration and monitoring. 8. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential exploitation of code injection vulnerabilities in critical governance platforms.