Overview
CVE-2025-59701 describes a security vulnerability affecting Entrust nShield Connect XC, nShield 5c, and nShield HSMi devices through versions 13.6.11 and 13.7. This vulnerability allows a physically proximate attacker with elevated privileges to read and potentially modify the contents of the Appliance SSD. The root cause of this vulnerability is that the data stored on the SSD is not encrypted.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from the lack of encryption on the Appliance SSD within the affected Entrust nShield HSMs. An attacker with physical access to the device and possessing sufficient privileges to access the internal components can directly read and potentially modify the data residing on the SSD. This data could include sensitive configuration information, cryptographic keys (if improperly managed), and other data crucial to the operation and security of the HSM.
The following products are affected:
- Entrust nShield Connect XC
- Entrust nShield 5c
- Entrust nShield HSMi
- Versions up to and including 13.6.11 and 13.7
CVSS Analysis
Currently, the CVE entry lists the severity and CVSS score as N/A. This is likely due to the dependence on physical access and elevated privileges, making it difficult to quantify using standard CVSS metrics. However, the potential impact should not be underestimated.
Possible Impact
The successful exploitation of CVE-2025-59701 can have severe consequences, including:
- Data Breach: Exposure of sensitive data stored on the SSD, potentially including cryptographic keys or configuration details.
- Compromised Security: An attacker might be able to manipulate the HSM configuration, leading to a complete compromise of the security provided by the HSM.
- Loss of Trust: Compromise of the HSM erodes trust in the entire system that relies on the HSM for security.
The need for physical access significantly limits the attack surface, but it is still a serious consideration, especially for HSMs deployed in environments with inadequate physical security controls.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
Currently, specific patch information or mitigation steps are expected to be provided by Entrust. Users of affected nShield HSMs are advised to:
- Contact Entrust Support: Immediately contact Entrust support for specific guidance and potential updates.
- Enhance Physical Security: Implement robust physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the HSM devices.
- Monitor for Updates: Regularly monitor Entrust’s security advisories for any updates related to this vulnerability.
- Review Key Management Practices: Ensure that cryptographic keys are securely managed and not directly stored on the Appliance SSD if possible. Consider using more robust key management strategies.
