Windows Server 2012 R2: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
CVE-2025-21174 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Windows Server 2012 R2 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 6.3.9600.22523 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows Server 2012 R2 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.18% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 83% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Windows Server 2012 R2 to 6.3.9600.22523 or a later version.
- Update Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) to 6.3.9600.22523 or a later version.
- Update Windows Server 2016 to 10.0.14393.7969 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 R2 | 6.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.22523 | 6.3.9600.22523 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) | 6.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.22523 | 6.3.9600.22523 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2016 | 10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.7969 | 10.0.14393.7969 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.7969 | 10.0.14393.7969 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.7136 | 10.0.17763.7136 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.7136 | 10.0.17763.7136 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2022 | 10.0.20348.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.20348.3453 | 10.0.20348.3453 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.3775 | 10.0.26100.3775 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.3775 | 10.0.26100.3775 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | r2 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (microsoft.com).
Official description
Uncontrolled resource consumption in Windows Standards-Based Storage Management Service allows an unauthorized attacker to deny service over a network.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
- Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.
More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Windows Server 2012 R2
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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