---
title: "2025 CWE Top 25: The Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses Revealed"
short_title: "2025 CWE Top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses"
description: "CISA and MITRE unveil the 2025 CWE Top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses. Learn how to prioritize fixes, reduce vulnerabilities, and strengthen cybersecurity resilience."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [cwe, cybersecurity, vulnerabilities, cisa, secure-by-design]
score: 0.85
cve_ids: []
---
TL;DR
CISA and MITRE have released the 2025 CWE Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses, highlighting critical vulnerabilities adversaries exploit to compromise systems, steal data, or disrupt services. Organizations are urged to prioritize these weaknesses to enhance security, reduce costs, and build stakeholder trust. This list is a cornerstone of CISA’s Secure by Design and Secure by Demand initiatives.
---
Main Content
The cybersecurity landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so are the threats that target software vulnerabilities. To combat this, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in collaboration with the Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute (HSSEDI)—operated by the MITRE Corporation—has released the [2025 CWE Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses](https://cwe.mitre.org/top25/). This annual list serves as a critical resource for organizations aiming to fortify their defenses against the most exploited software weaknesses.
The 2025 CWE Top 25 is more than just a list—it’s a call to action. By addressing these vulnerabilities, organizations can proactively reduce risks, streamline security efforts, and contribute to a safer digital ecosystem. The list aligns with CISA’s [Secure by Design](https://www.cisa.gov/securebydesign) and [Secure by Demand](https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/secure-demand-guide) initiatives, which emphasize the importance of building and procuring secure technology solutions from the ground up.
---
Key Points
#### 1. Why the CWE Top 25 Matters
The CWE Top 25 is a curated list of the most critical software weaknesses that adversaries exploit to:
- Compromise systems and networks.
- Steal sensitive data.
- Disrupt critical services.
By focusing on these weaknesses, organizations can prioritize their security efforts and mitigate high-impact vulnerabilities related to injection attacks, access control flaws, and memory safety defects.
#### 2. Business and Security Benefits
Addressing the CWE Top 25 offers tangible benefits for organizations:
- Vulnerability Reduction: Proactively eliminating weaknesses early in the development lifecycle prevents costly downstream remediation.
- Cost Efficiencies: Fixing vulnerabilities before deployment is far more efficient than patching, reconfiguring, or responding to emergencies.
- Stakeholder Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to Secure by Design principles builds confidence among customers, partners, and regulators.
- Consumer Awareness: The list empowers consumers to make informed decisions about the security of the products they use.
#### 3. Stakeholder Recommendations
Different stakeholders can leverage the CWE Top 25 to enhance their security posture:
- Developers and Product Teams: Integrate the Top 25 into development workflows to prioritize high-risk weaknesses and adopt Secure by Design practices.
- Security Teams: Use the list to guide vulnerability management and application security testing, ensuring critical weaknesses are identified and mitigated.
- Procurement and Risk Managers: Apply the Top 25 as a benchmark for evaluating vendors and enforce Secure by Demand guidelines to invest in secure products.
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Technical Details
#### How the CWE Top 25 is Compiled
The CWE Top 25 is derived from a data-driven analysis of real-world vulnerabilities reported in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). The process involves:
1. Data Collection: Gathering vulnerability data from the NVD and other sources.
2. Scoring and Ranking: Using a formula that considers the frequency and severity of each weakness to determine its rank.
3. Expert Review: MITRE and CISA experts validate the rankings to ensure accuracy and relevance.
#### Common Weakness Types in the 2025 List
While the full list is available [here](https://cwe.mitre.org/top25/), some of the most prevalent weakness categories include:
- Injection Flaws: Such as SQL injection, command injection, and cross-site scripting (XSS).
- Access Control Vulnerabilities: Including improper authentication and authorization flaws.
- Memory Safety Issues: Such as buffer overflows and use-after-free vulnerabilities.
- Misconfigurations: Default settings or improperly configured security controls.
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Impact Assessment
#### National and Global Implications
The CWE Top 25 is not just a technical resource—it’s a strategic tool for strengthening national cybersecurity resilience. By addressing these weaknesses, organizations can:
- Reduce the attack surface for cybercriminals and nation-state actors.
- Minimize the risk of large-scale data breaches and service disruptions.
- Foster a culture of security that prioritizes proactive defense over reactive measures.
#### Long-Term Resilience
The 2025 CWE Top 25 underscores the importance of Secure by Design principles in creating a sustainable security posture. Organizations that embed these principles into their processes can:
- Reduce the frequency and severity of cyber incidents.
- Lower the total cost of ownership for security measures.
- Enhance their reputation as trusted providers of secure technology.
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Conclusion
The 2025 CWE Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses is a critical resource for organizations looking to stay ahead of cyber threats. By prioritizing the weaknesses outlined in this list, businesses can reduce vulnerabilities, cut costs, and build trust with stakeholders. CISA and MITRE’s collaborative effort reinforces the importance of Secure by Design and Secure by Demand principles in creating a safer digital future.
For more details, review the [2025 CWE Top 25](https://cwe.mitre.org/top25/) and integrate its recommendations into your cybersecurity strategy today.
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References
[^1]: CISA. "[2025 CWE Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/12/11/2025-cwe-top-25-most-dangerous-software-weaknesses)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: MITRE. "[2025 CWE Top 25](https://cwe.mitre.org/top25/)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: CISA. "[Secure by Design](https://www.cisa.gov/securebydesign)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^4]: CISA. "[Secure by Demand Guide](https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/secure-demand-guide)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.