What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-59697?

CVE-2025-59697 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2025-59697?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2025-59697. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 0.0%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2025-59697?

Within 24 hours: Inventory all nShield Connect XC, nShield 5c, and nShield HSMi devices running versions 13.6.11 or earlier, or 13.7, and assess physical access controls to HSM locations. Within 7 days: Implement strict physical security measures restricting access to HSM host systems and implement BIOS/firmware password protections where available. Within 30 days: Contact Entrust for patch availability timeline and deployment plan; evaluate alternative HSM vendors or architectural changes if patches remain unavailable for extended periods.

Nshield 5c Firmware CVE-2025-59697

EUVD-2025-200257 HIGH

Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269)

2025-12-02 cve@mitre.org

Privilege Escalation Nshield 5c Firmware Nshield Connect Xc Base Firmware Nshield Connect Xc High Firmware Nshield Connect Xc Mid Firmware Nshield Hsmi Firmware Entrust

7.2

CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: mitre

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-269 OWASP Top 10:2025 A06:2025 - Insecure Design ASVS 5.0 V8 - Authorization Least privilege enforcement MITRE ATT&CK 1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	An attacker with limited access can gain administrative or root privileges, enabling full control over the affected system. With a CVSS score of 7.2 (HIGH), this represents a significant risk.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A local attacker exploits a vulnerability in a privileged service or misconfigured permissions to escalate from a standard user to root/administrator.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

No patch listed yet 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 15, 2026

Entrust nShield Connect XC, nShield 5c, and nShield HSMi through 13.6.11, or 13.7, allow a physically proximate attacker to escalate privileges by editing the Legacy GRUB bootloader configuration to start a root shell upon boot of the host OS. This is called F06.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 15, 2026 - 14:04 CVSS 7.2

RemediationAI

Apply the principle of least privilege. Keep systems patched. Monitor for suspicious privilege changes. Use mandatory access controls (SELinux, AppArmor).

Affected VersionsENISA

n/a n/a

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Privilege escalation allows a low-privileged user or process to gain elevated permissions beyond what was originally authorized. This vulnerability is classified as Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269).

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (mitre) PRIMARY 7.2 HIGH

AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from Vendor (mitre) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: mitre

Attack Vector

Physical

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

High

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

PoC Detected

Dec 08, 2025 - 19:31 vuln.today

Public exploit code

CVE Published

Dec 02, 2025 - 15:15 nvd

HIGH 7.2

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Entrust nShield hardware security modules (HSM) are vulnerable to local privilege escalation attacks by physically proximate attackers who can modify bootloader configurations. Organizations using affected nShield models to protect cryptographic keys and sensitive operations face potential unauthorized root access to HSM host systems, compromising the security foundation of their key management infrastructure.

Business Impact: High

Compensating Controls

Enforce strict physical security controls limiting access to HSM host systems to authorized personnel only; disable or restrict GRUB bootloader editing through BIOS/UEFI firmware protections and passwords; implement network segmentation isolating HSM management interfaces; enable audit logging of HSM access and boot events; consider temporary migration of critical cryptographic operations to alternative HSM platforms pending patch availability.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.0%

Top 93% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

5 sources

Confidence: Medium

EUVD

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

GitHub

VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 0.0%

Patch available No

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

Poc

System Exposure· derived

Small

Automatable· derived

Human Impact

High

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +36

PoC: +20

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Privilege Escalation HIGH

Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.