Critical Trend Micro Apex One Zero-Day Actively Exploited —
Immediate Mitigation Required
Attackers are exploiting a critical zero-day in Trend Micro Apex One. Apply the mitigation tool, restrict console access, and prepare for the August patch now.
Overview
Trend Micro has disclosed two critical zero-day vulnerabilities—CVE‑2025‑54948 and CVE‑2025‑54987—affecting its Apex One Management Console for on-premises deployments on Windows systems. One of these flaws is already being actively exploited in the wild.
The Vulnerabilities Unpacked
- CVE‑2025‑54948 enables a command injection attack: an attacker with access to the management console can upload malicious code and execute arbitrary system-level commands due to inadequate input validation.
- CVE‑2025‑54987 is effectively the same vulnerability repackaged for a different CPU architecture.
Importantly, exploitation requires a pre-authenticated attacker—someone who already has remote or physical access to the management console.
Exploitation Status & Products Affected
- Active exploitation has been observed for at least one of the two CVEs, though Trend Micro hasn’t confirmed which one.
- Affected platforms include Apex One On‑Premise (2019) up to Management Server Version 14039, Apex One as a Service, and Trend Vision One Endpoint Security – Standard Endpoint Protection.
Vendor Response & Mitigation Strategy
- Cloud-based services (Apex One as a Service and Trend Vision One) were already patched as of July 31, 2025.
- For on-premise installations, a mitigation tool has been released to temporarily block exploitation. Clients should apply this immediately.
- Full patching for on-premise platforms is expected around mid‑August 2025.
- Trend Micro also recommends reinforcing perimeter security, limiting external exposure of the console, and reviewing remote access policies.
Broader Context: Why This Matters
Endpoint security consoles like Apex One are high-value targets—they act as gatekeepers across corporate networks. If compromised, attackers can deploy ransomware, execute espionage, or maintain persistent access.
This incident echoes previous cases:
- September 2023: A zero-day (CVE‑2023‑41179) related to uninstalling third-party security software was patched following active exploitation.
- June 2025: Trend Micro patched five local privilege escalation/code injection vulnerabilities (CVE‑2025‑49154 to CVE‑2025‑49158) affecting Apex One, underscoring the product’s sensitive risk profile.
Key Takeaways
| Priority | Action |
| Immediate Mitigation | Apply Trend Micro’s advisory tool to limit exposure until patches are available. |
| Prepare for Patch Release | Plan for on-premise patching rollout expected by mid‑August 2025. |
| Strengthen Security Posture | Restrict access to the management console and review remote access controls. |
| Audit Past Flaws | Assess previous vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE‑2023‑41179) for potential leftovers or weak controls. |
Summary
If you’re managing Apex One on-premise, this zero-day is urgent. Apply mitigation today, bolster access controls, and get ready for the mid‑August patch. Trend Micro’s cloud customers, meanwhile, should ensure updates from July 31 are fully applied. Additionally, organizations must stay vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity efforts to protect against future vulnerabilities and threats, such as the Trend Micro Apex One zero-day.
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FAQ:
Which Trend Micro products are affected by the Apex One zero-day vulnerabilities?
Covers the list of impacted platforms (Apex One On-Premise, Apex One as a Service, Trend Vision One Endpoint Security).
What immediate steps should organizations take to mitigate the risk?
Addresses the mitigation tool, restricting console access, and preparing for the mid-August patch.
Why are zero-day vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-54948 and CVE-2025-54987 so dangerous for businesses?
Explains the high-value nature of endpoint consoles, risks of ransomware/espionage, and the need for proactive cybersecurity measures.
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