Table of Contents
Are Microsoft Office Updates Fixing or Breaking Your Tools? April 2025 Insights
Microsoft rolled out its latest batch of security updates on April 8, 2025, as part of its monthly Patchday. These updates target various Office versions, including Office 2016, Click-to-Run (C2R) variants like Office 365 and Office 2021, and other related products. While these updates address critical vulnerabilities, one of them caused issues with Excel, Outlook, and Word. Let’s break this down step by step.
Key Highlights of the Updates
Office 2016 Security Updates
Microsoft released several security patches for Office 2016 to address remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. Here’s a quick summary:
- KB5002701: Fixes CVE-2025-26642 in Access 2016.
- KB5002704: Addresses CVE-2025-26642, CVE-2025-27750, and CVE-2025-27751 in Excel 2016.
- KB4484432: Resolves CVE-2025-27746 in Office 2016.
- KB5002573: Fixes CVE-2025-29816 in Office 2016.
- KB5002588: Patches CVE-2025-26642 in Office 2016.
- KB5002669: Covers CVE-2025-27744 in Office 2016.
- KB5002700: Tackles multiple vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-29791 to CVE-2025-27752).
- KB5002703: Resolves CVE-2025-26642 in Office 2016.
- KB5002622: Fixes CVE-2025-29822 in OneNote 2016.
- KB5002702: Closes CVE vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-27747, CVE-2025-29816, and CVE-2025-29820) in Word 2016.
These updates are available for the MSI-based installation of Office 2016, while Click-to-Run packages receive updates through separate channels.
Problems Reported with KB5002623
The update KB5002623 initially caused crashes in Excel, Outlook, and Word for some users. Fortunately, Microsoft acted quickly and released a fix on April 10, 2025. If you encountered these issues, ensure you’ve installed the updated patch to restore functionality.
Click-to-Run (C2R) Updates
For C2R installations like Office 365 or newer versions such as Office 2019/2021/2024 Retail editions, updates are delivered directly through the respective channels. Here are the latest builds for each channel:
- Current Channel: Version 2503 (Build 18623.20178).
- Monthly Enterprise Channel: Versions include Build 18526.20264 and Build 18429.20216.
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel: Versions range from Build 17928.20512 to Build 17328.20770 depending on the preview cycle.
These updates address critical vulnerabilities across various modules and ensure compatibility with volume licensing builds.
Microsoft also released security fixes for SharePoint Server editions to address vulnerabilities:
- SharePoint Server Subscription Edition: KB5002705 fixes critical issues specific to this version.
- SharePoint Server 2019: Includes KB5002691 and KB5002680 for the Language Pack.
- SharePoint Server Enterprise Edition (2016): KB5002692 and KB5002682 address vulnerabilities for this version and its Language Pack.
If your organization relies on SharePoint Server or Office Online Server (updated via KB5002699), make sure these patches are applied promptly.
Why These Updates Matter
Security patches are essential to protect against exploits that could compromise sensitive data or disrupt workflows. The RCE vulnerabilities fixed by these updates could allow attackers to execute malicious code remotely—posing a significant risk to businesses that rely heavily on Microsoft tools.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing; occasional bugs like those seen with KB5002623 remind us that updates can sometimes introduce new challenges alongside their fixes.
How to Stay Ahead
To avoid issues with updates while keeping your systems secure, follow these tips:
- Test Before Deploying: If you manage IT systems for an organization, test patches on non-critical machines before rolling them out company-wide.
- Enable Auto Updates: For individual users or small teams using C2R versions like Office 365, enabling automatic updates ensures you’re always protected.
- Monitor Known Issues: Keep an eye on Microsoft’s update documentation for reports of bugs or post-release fixes.
- Backup Your Data: Before applying major updates, back up important files to avoid losing work if something goes wrong.
- Use Volume Licensing Resources: For enterprise users with volume licenses, consult Microsoft’s dedicated pages for build-specific details.
April’s Patchday brought critical fixes that enhance security across Microsoft products but also highlighted the importance of vigilance when applying updates—especially when bugs arise unexpectedly. If you rely on Microsoft tools daily, staying informed about these changes is crucial for maintaining productivity and safeguarding your data.
Microsoft’s April Patchday addressed numerous vulnerabilities across its product suite while introducing minor hiccups that were quickly resolved with follow-up patches. Whether you’re an individual user or part of a larger organization, understanding how these updates impact your tools can help you navigate potential challenges effectively.