Mexico’s Government Network Remains Exposed

Microsoft closed 2025 with a final batch of updates fixing 56 vulnerabilities across Windows and widely used tools for admins and developers. With this, the company has patched more than 1,200 flaws in a single year—highlighting the massive and growing security challenge across its ecosystem.

However, something troubling is happening in Mexico: over 500 public institutions remain vulnerable, even though patches are available. While Microsoft has done its part, many agencies haven’t done theirs. At TecnetOne, we explain why this matters—even if you’re not part of the government.

End-of-Year Patches: Critical Fixes Few Have Applied

Among the 56 vulnerabilities:

1. 3 were critical
   
   
2. 53 were important
   
   
3. Several allow serious attacks like remote code execution or privilege escalation

Two of them were zero-day vulnerabilities—already being exploited before the patches were released.

In other words: attackers were actively exploiting these flaws while public systems in Mexico remained unpatched. That’s where the real problem begins.

CVE-2025-62221: A Flaw That Gives Full System Control

The most dangerous bug is CVE-2025-62221, a use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. With this flaw, an attacker can:

1. Log in with minimal privileges
   
   
2. Exploit the vulnerability
   
   
3. Elevate access to SYSTEM—the highest Windows privilege level

This means total control: they can install malware, extract data, move laterally, disable defenses—anything.

Although Microsoft hasn’t detailed real-world exploitation techniques, it’s likely this flaw is paired with:

1. Phishing
   
   
2. Remote code execution vulnerabilities
   
   
3. Leaked credentials

For an experienced attacker, this combination is routine.

Learn more: Microsoft Patch Tuesday December 2025: 57 Vulnerabilities Fixed

PowerShell and Copilot Were Also Targeted

In addition to the actively exploited flaw, Microsoft patched two more critical vulnerabilities affecting tools widely used by IT and developers:

CVE-2025-54100 – Command injection in PowerShell
Lets attackers run code if a user executes a tampered command. A simple copy-paste could open the door.

CVE-2025-64671 – Remote execution in GitHub Copilot for JetBrains IDEs
Another form of command injection hidden within a popular coding assistant.

When key tools like these are compromised, the risk scales fast.

2025: A Record Year with 1,275 Windows Vulnerabilities Fixed

According to SILIKN, Microsoft closed 2025 with 1,275 CVEs resolved—the second consecutive year breaking the 1,000 mark.

To put it in perspective:

1. Nearly 4 vulnerabilities patched per day
   
   
2. Many of them critical
   
   
3. All requiring immediate attention

Yet hundreds of institutions in Mexico take months—or years—to apply updates.

516+ Government Entities in Mexico Still Unpatched

Here’s the critical issue: At least 516 public institutions in Mexico have not yet applied the available patches.

These include major organizations like:

1. CDMX Attorney General’s Office
   
   
2. Attorney offices in Veracruz, Baja California, Chiapas, Tamaulipas
   
   
3. Ministry of Economy
   
   
4. CONAGUA, COFEPRIS, SEMARNAT, SEP, SAT, INFONAVIT
   
   
5. Judicial branches in several states
   
   
6. State governments in Guerrero, Puebla, Morelos, Campeche, Hidalgo, Aguascalientes
   
   
7. Multiple city councils and educational bodies

The result: sensitive data from millions of citizens is at risk—from tax and educational records to legal and health data.

Why Are Systems Not Being Updated?

At TecnetOne, we repeatedly see the same root causes in both public and private organizations:

1. Outdated infrastructure
   Still running legacy Windows, unsupported servers, or un-upgradable applications.
   
   
2. Lack of technical personnel
   Overwhelmed or understaffed IT teams for the size of the infrastructure.
   
   
3. Dependency on external systems
   Updates risk breaking integrations.
   
   
4. Fear of disrupting critical services
   So they “leave it as is” and stay vulnerable.
   
   
5. Poor processes and governance
   No clear update policies or audit routines.

Real Risks for Real Citizens

When public agencies don’t patch systems:

1. Your data can leak
   
   
2. Your documents can fall into the wrong hands
   
   
3. Ransomware can block public services
   
   
4. Your identity can be used for fraud

These aren’t hypothetical scenarios. MexicoLeaks, Guacamaya, SAT leaks, and prosecutor’s office hacks are recent painful examples.

Similar titles: Mexican Water Infrastructure Under Fire: Rising Cyberattacks

Patches Available, Systems Vulnerable: It’s Not a Technical Issue—It’s Governance

The concerning part isn’t that vulnerabilities exist—that’s normal.

The real issue is the gap between patch availability and patch deployment.

An attacker doesn’t need sophisticated tools. Just a mid-range laptop and a convincing email can be enough to breach an outdated system. Once inside, it takes only the right exploit to escalate and compromise everything.

At TecnetOne, we know this first-hand: most attackers don’t need advanced techniques—just unpatched systems.

What Should Institutions (and You) Do?

While this may seem like a government-only problem, we believe many private companies are just as exposed.

Here’s what every organization should do right now:

1. Install Microsoft’s December 2025 patches immediately
   No excuses. Do it now.
   
   
2. Audit servers, endpoints, and internet-facing services
   Especially legacy systems.
   
   
3. Evaluate PowerShell, Copilot, and admin tools
   They’re common attack vectors.
   
   
4. Implement automated patch management
   Manual updates are too slow.
   
   
5. Conduct penetration testing
   Find weaknesses before attackers do.
   
   
6. Segment your network
   To prevent a full-system takeover.
   
   
7. Train your staff
   Most breaches start with phishing.

Final Thought: Patches Don’t Help If You Don’t Use Them

The end of 2025 leaves us with a warning: having patches available does not equal protection.

As long as hundreds of public agencies in Mexico remain unpatched, the government’s digital infrastructure will stay wide open to ransomware, criminal groups, and opportunistic hackers.

At TecnetOne, we believe 2026 must be the year of proactive patching. It’s the simplest, most effective, and most ignored security measure. And today, it’s absolutely critical.