In August 2025, enterprises in a variety of industries were negatively affected by Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). Large enterprises and Fortune 500 companies that use Citrix NetScaler for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and load balancing fell victim to criminal exploits.
Companies in the financial, healthcare, retail, and government sectors with Trend Micro Apex One endpoint protection had their vulnerabilities exploited. Tech, Software as a Service (SaaS), and DevOps-heavy enterprises that are dependent on Git, GitHub, and GitLab for software development were also targeted by cybercriminals.
Companies need to adapt their cybersecurity postures to defend against threats in the current cybersecurity risk landscape. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the top CVEs that were identified August 2025 and how to avoid being impacted.
8 Things to Know About Top Exploited CVEs in August 2025
As of August 2025, several Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) have been identified as actively exploited. These vulnerabilities affect both software and critical infrastructure components. The 3 most significant CVEs were:
- Citrix Netscaler Remote Code Execution
This critical CVE affects Netscaler Application Delivery Controller (ADC) and Gateway appliances, providing attackers with direct access to corporate networks.
- Trend Micro Apex One Command Injection
This level 9.4 to 10 CVE affects Apex One management consoles, enabling attackers to disable endpoint defenses, push malware, and move laterally across systems.
- Git Submodule Code Execution
This CVE is around level 8 to 10 in severity, affecting Git and other DevOps platforms by using malicious submodules to inject arbitrary code that weaponizes supply chains.
Below is a list of 8 key takeaways related to the most significant CVEs.
1.) Citrix appliance exploitation is fast and automated.Even if you patch now, assume exposed NetScaler appliances may already be compromised. Forensic review of logs, unusual accounts, and credential dumps is critical.
2.) Endpoint protection platforms are prime targets.Attackers love abusing “the tools meant to protect you.” If Apex One is managed by a managed security service provider (MSSP), confirm their patch status and incident response readiness.
3.) Supply chain compromise risk is rising.Active Git exploits mean any unvetted contractor or open-source dependency could be an entry point. Review your software bill of materials (SBOM) and vendor development practices.
4.) Third-party exposure magnifies the risk.Enterprises must ask vendors and service providers for Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV)-driven patch compliance, not just internally but contractually.
5.) Zero-day exploitation timelines are shrinking.In August, Citrix and Trend Micro flaws were under attack within days of disclosure. Build a rapid-patch workflow for internet-facing systems.
6.) Threat actors mix tactics.Ransomware operators are exploiting Citrix while espionage-focused actors leverage Git and Apple/WhatsApp chains, highlighting that any enterprise can be a target, not just those in “high-value” sectors.
7.) Detection is as important as patching.
Enable monitoring for abnormal logins, suspicious lateral movement, and anomalous code commits. Assume attackers may have exploited vulnerabilities before patches were applied.
8.) Board-level messaging matters.These flaws affect core business services, including remote access, endpoint protection, and software development. Security leaders should brief executives using terms related to business impact, such as downtime, vendor exposure, and regulatory implications.
How ProActive Solutions Helps Clients Mitigate August 2025 CVEs
Proactive Solutions offers a comprehensive approach to managing and mitigating the risks associated with critical CVEs identified in August 2025. By leveraging advanced security tools, proactive monitoring, and timely patch management, Proactive can help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats and ensure the security of their systems.
3 Key Mitigation Strategies
1.) Citrix NetScaler- Patch to fixed versions (14.1-47.48+, 13.1-59.22+)
- Restrict internet exposure
- Monitor for anomalous access and credential theft attempts
- Apply vendor hotfixes
- Restrict console access to trusted networks
- Audit logs for unusual agent installations or console activity
- Update to patched versions
- Disable recursive submodule cloning from untrusted sources
- Enforce code signing and mandatory peer reviews in Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
How Proactive Helps
ProActive eliminates CVE risk by providing managed security services that support key mitigation strategies.
- Threat-Informed Patching uses Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) KEV as a driver for prioritization instead of generic Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) scores.
- Third-Party Accountability requires vendors, managed service providers (MSPs), and software suppliers to attest to patching timelines for KEV-listed flaws.
- Red Team/Purple Team Testing simulates exploitation of Citrix or Git flaws to validate detection and response playbooks.
- Zero-Trust Access applies least-privilege policies to admin consoles, such as Apex One, and enforces Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for management interfaces.
- Supply Chain Security maintains an SBOM and validates open-source libraries and submodules before integration.
- Accelerated Patch Pipelines build a process for emergency patching of internet-facing systems within 72 hours of disclosure.
- Continuous Monitoring deploys behavioral analytics to detect abnormal logins, lateral movement, or code repository changes.
ProActive Solutions in Action
The ProActive Solutions approach to CVE mitigation takes clients through prevention, detection, response, and post-incident stages. Here are 3 scenarios that show how Proactive Solutions would help organizations mitigate the critical CVEs identified in August 2025.
Scenario 1: Citrix Netscaler
Problem:
An unpatched Citrix appliance exposed to the internet is exploited by ransomware operators. They gain remote access, harvest credentials, and pivot into the internal network, encrypting file shares and disrupting business operations.
How Proactive Solutions Helps:
Prevention:
- Patch within 72 hours
- Segment appliances
- Require MFA for admin access
Detection:
- Monitor for abnormal login attempts, brute force activity, and credential-harvesting Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)
Response:
- Isolate compromised appliances
- Revoke exposed credentials
- Block C2 traffic
Post-incident:
- Conduct forensic review for persistence
- Implement stronger patch Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- Validate vendor MSP patching compliance
Scenario 2: Trend Micro Apex One
Problem:
Attackers exploit an unpatched Apex One console managed by an MSSP. They disable endpoint protection across multiple clients and push a malicious update, resulting in simultaneous malware outbreaks.
How Proactive Solutions Helps:
Prevention:
- Restrict management console to internal/VPN-only access
- Enforce MFA
- Patch immediately
Detection:
- Alert on unusual agent installation activity or console-issued commands
Response:
- Disable the compromised console
- Push emergency Anti-Virus (AV) signatures
- Coordinate with MSSPs to limit blast radius
Post-incident:
- Require vendor attestations of patching
- Update contracts to mandate KEV-based vulnerability management
Scenario 3: Git Submodule
Problem:
A contractor commits code from a poisoned Git repo with a malicious submodule. The exploit injects a backdoor into the enterprise’s production application, giving attackers long-term access to sensitive customer data.
How Proactive Solutions helps:
Prevention:
- Require code signing
- Block untrusted submodules
- Review SBOMs for third-party commits
Detection:
- Scan CI/CD pipelines for unauthorized submodules
- Monitor repo commits for anomalies
Response:
- Revoke compromised builds
- Patch infected applications
- Rotate secrets and credentials exposed in repos
Post-incident:
- Strengthen supplier software security requirements
- Implement automated pipeline checks for vulnerable dependencies
These scenarios illustrate the expertise ProActive has in developing strategies for preventing emerging cybersecurity threats.
Learn how to keep your company from being targeted by exploits that take advantage of your security vulnerabilities. Ask for a consultation from ProActive Solutions.
