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.
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:
This critical CVE affects Netscaler Application Delivery Controller (ADC) and Gateway appliances, providing attackers with direct access to corporate networks.
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.
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.
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.
ProActive eliminates CVE risk by providing managed security services that support key mitigation strategies.
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.
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:
Detection:
Response:
Post-incident:
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:
Detection:
Response:
Post-incident:
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:
Detection:
Response:
Post-incident:
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.