We’re thrilled to sit down with Rupert Marais, our in-house security specialist with deep expertise in endpoint and device security, cybersecurity strategies, and network management. Today, we’re diving into a critical topic: the recently discovered security flaws in Trend Micro Apex One, a widely used endpoint security solution. Our conversation explores the nature of these vulnerabilities, their real-world implications for businesses, the current mitigations available, and what companies can do to protect themselves. Join us as we unpack these pressing issues with Rupert’s expert insights.
How would you describe Trend Micro Apex One and its role in protecting businesses?
Trend Micro Apex One is a comprehensive endpoint security platform designed to protect businesses from a wide range of threats, like malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access. It’s used by organizations of all sizes to secure their devices, servers, and networks. What makes it critical is its centralized management console, which lets IT teams monitor and control security across multiple endpoints. It’s especially popular among companies with complex IT environments because it offers both on-premise and cloud-based options, giving flexibility in deployment and management.
What types of organizations or systems typically depend on Apex One for their security needs?
You’ll find Apex One in a variety of settings, from small businesses to large enterprises, especially those with a mix of physical and virtual environments. It’s common in industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing where data protection is non-negotiable. It’s often deployed on critical systems—think employee laptops, corporate servers, and even point-of-sale devices. Basically, any organization that needs robust endpoint protection and centralized control tends to rely on solutions like this.
Can you explain the recent critical vulnerabilities in Apex One and why they’re such a concern?
Absolutely. The two flaws, identified as CVE-2025-54948 and CVE-2025-54987, are serious issues in the on-premise version of Apex One’s management console. Both are rated extremely high on the severity scale, at 9.4 out of 10. In simple terms, one allows attackers to inject malicious commands into the system, while the other enables remote code execution, meaning bad actors can run harmful code on the affected machine without needing direct access. These are major concerns because they could let attackers take over systems, steal data, or disrupt operations entirely.
What are the risks for companies right now, given that these flaws are already being exploited in real-world attacks?
The fact that these vulnerabilities are being exploited “in the wild” means attackers are actively targeting systems running vulnerable versions of Apex One. For companies, this is a wake-up call. If exploited, these flaws could lead to data breaches, system downtime, or even ransomware attacks. On-premise users are particularly at risk because they manage their own installations, unlike the as-a-service version where mitigations have already been rolled out. Companies need to act fast to assess their exposure and apply the available fixes.
Can you walk us through the solutions Trend Micro has provided so far for on-premise users?
Trend Micro has released a fix tool for on-premise systems as a temporary measure. This tool addresses the known exploits by closing the gaps that attackers could use to inject commands or execute code remotely. However, there’s a trade-off—it disables the Remote Install Agent function, which admins use to deploy security agents from the management console. Other deployment methods, like using a network path or agent package, still work fine. It’s a stopgap solution to keep systems safe until a full patch comes out.
Why do you think there’s a delay in releasing a permanent patch for these vulnerabilities until mid-August 2025?
Developing a full patch for critical flaws like these isn’t a quick process. It likely involves extensive testing to ensure the fix doesn’t break other parts of the system or introduce new issues. The team probably needs to account for different configurations and environments where Apex One is deployed. Plus, since these flaws affect specific CPU architectures differently, they may be working on tailored solutions for each. Delays can also stem from coordinating with other teams or ensuring compliance with security standards. It’s frustrating, but thoroughness is key.
What challenges might companies face when applying the current fix tool, especially with the Remote Install Agent being disabled?
The biggest challenge is the impact on workflow. Disabling the Remote Install Agent means admins can’t push out security agents directly from the console, which can slow down deployments or updates, especially in larger organizations with tons of endpoints. They’ll need to rely on alternative methods, like manually installing agents or using network shares, which can be time-consuming and prone to error. It’s a hassle, but it’s a necessary trade-off to block the exploits. Companies will need to adapt their processes temporarily.
How can businesses balance the urgency of applying mitigations with the operational disruptions they might cause?
It’s a tough balancing act. First, businesses need to prioritize assessing their risk—figure out if their systems are exposed to remote access or untrusted networks. If the risk is high, applying the fix tool immediately is a no-brainer, even with the disruptions. They can mitigate operational hiccups by planning alternative agent deployment methods in advance and communicating changes to their IT teams. For lower-risk environments, they might monitor closely and wait for the full patch, but honestly, procrastination can be dangerous given the active exploitation.
What’s your forecast for the future of endpoint security, especially with critical flaws like these becoming more common?
I think endpoint security is going to face increasing challenges as attackers get more sophisticated and target management tools directly, like we’ve seen here. We’ll likely see a push toward more automated, cloud-native solutions that can roll out fixes faster without relying on manual updates. There’s also going to be a bigger emphasis on zero-trust architectures, where access is tightly controlled, even for internal systems. My forecast is that vendors and businesses alike will need to invest heavily in proactive threat hunting and rapid response capabilities to stay ahead of these evolving risks.
