Windows Hyper-V DDA Flaw CVE-2025-48822: Critical Out-of-Bounds Read Enables Local Code Execution

Introduction

Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization technology, widely utilized in enterprise environments, faces a critical security threat identified as CVE-2025-48822. This vulnerability, an out-of-bounds read flaw within Hyper-V's Discrete Device Assignment (DDA) feature, enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code directly on the host system. Given Hyper-V's extensive deployment in data centers and cloud infrastructures, the potential impact of this vulnerability is significant, necessitating immediate attention and remediation.

Technical Information

CVE-2025-48822 arises from improper memory boundary checks in Hyper-V's DDA subsystem, specifically during the enumeration of hardware resource descriptors. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious ACPI _CRS descriptors, triggering an out-of-bounds read condition. This vulnerability bypasses virtualization security boundaries, granting attackers the capability to execute arbitrary code at the hypervisor level, potentially leading to full host compromise and lateral movement within virtualized environments.

The attack vector requires local access, meaning an attacker must already possess some level of access to the host system. Exploitation involves executing specially crafted applications that manipulate the memory handling flaw during device assignment operations, particularly affecting GPU and PCIe device passthrough configurations.

Patch Information

Microsoft has released a security update to address this critical remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Hyper-V, identified as CVE-2025-48822. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host system by sending specially crafted packets to the Hyper-V host.

The patch modifies how Hyper-V handles certain network packets to prevent exploitation. Administrators must ensure systems are updated with the latest security updates provided by Microsoft. Regularly checking for and applying such updates is crucial to maintaining system security.

Patch source: Microsoft Security Update Guide

Affected Systems and Versions

Windows 10 versions 22H2 and 23H2 with Hyper-V and DDA enabled
Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2 with Hyper-V and DDA enabled

Vendor Security History

Microsoft has experienced multiple vulnerabilities in Hyper-V, particularly in hardware virtualization components like DDA. The company's consistent and prompt patching practices demonstrate a robust vulnerability management process, although the recurrence of similar flaws highlights ongoing challenges in secure coding within virtualization technologies.

References

Source: This report was created using AI

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