CVE-2025-29814 is a new critical vulnerability found in Microsoft Partner Center. This flaw allows attackers who already have authorized access to the network to elevate their privileges by exploiting improper authorization logic. Threat actors can gain wider access than intended, potentially impacting sensitive data and operations across the Partner Center environment.
This write-up will explain what the vulnerability is, how it works, and how you can verify and mitigate the risks. Realistic code examples and links to official sources are provided.
What is Microsoft Partner Center?
Microsoft Partner Center is an online platform that lets partners of Microsoft manage their relationships, customers, licenses, and more. It's a central place for handling customer accounts and subscriptions, making it a high-value target for attackers.
About Improper Authorization
Improper authorization means the system does not properly check if requests are being made by users who have the right permissions. Basically, attackers who are already on the network or have a low-level partner account can trick Partner Center's backend into believing they are more privileged than they really are.
Vulnerability Details
In CVE-2025-29814, the problem is that certain API endpoints in Microsoft Partner Center fail to check whether the calling user has the right level of permission for certain tasks. This means an attacker can craft special requests to those endpoints, and the system will process them—sometimes with administrative privileges.
- Attack prerequisite: The attacker has a legitimate Partner Center account (even with minimal privileges).
- Result: The attacker can escalate privileges, change sensitive data, or access accounts and resources that should not be available to them.
Proof of Concept (PoC) Exploit
Suppose the attacker has a basic "User" role. The following sample curl command shows how an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to update the contact info of another partner account (which should only be allowed for admins):
# Replace <ACCESS_TOKEN> with valid bearer token from a low-privilege user
# Replace <TARGET_PARTNER_ID> with the victim's account ID
curl -X PATCH \
https://partner.microsoft.com/api/partners/<TARGET_PARTNER_ID>/profile \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <ACCESS_TOKEN>" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"contact": {"email": "attacker@email.com"}}'
What happens?
- The API endpoint does not double-check that your user should be allowed to change another partner's profile. The system accepts the request and updates the information.
- Now the attacker can potentially take control of communications, reset passwords, or manipulate customer data.
Gain a partner account: The attacker signs up or is provisioned the most basic level user.
2. Craft requests: Attacker uses tools like Postman or curl to experiment with different API endpoints.
3. Privilege Escalation: Through poorly protected endpoints, the attacker performs operations only admins should be able to do.
Data exfiltration: Sensitive customer data becomes accessible.
- Service interruptions: Attacker can change settings, remove users, or even lock out legitimate partners.
Mitigation & Recommendations
- Patch Immediately: Microsoft has released an update, patch all Partner Center environments as soon as possible.
- Audit API Calls: Review logs for suspicious PATCH/POST calls by non-admin partners.
Limit Account Privileges: Do not give more access than absolutely needed to any partner account.
- Enable MFA: Require multi-factor authentication for all accounts, especially those with elevated privileges.
Microsoft Security Advisory (June 2025):
Microsoft Documentation: Partner Center Security Update
NIST Vulnerability Database:
Conclusion
CVE-2025-29814 is a serious flaw affecting the Microsoft Partner Center platform. Attackers with even basic partner access can exploit improper authorization checks to escalate their privileges and compromise other partner and customer environments. Make sure to apply Microsoft’s patch right away, and follow the recommended security practices to prevent attacks.
Stay safe, patch regularly, and always review user permissions!
*This article is exclusive content inspired by recent security advisories and red team research.*
Timeline
Published on: 03/21/2025 01:15:17 UTC
Last modified on: 03/23/2025 16:12:13 UTC