Container root escalation via group-writable passwd file
Published Jan 20, 2026 · Updated Jan 20, 2026
Privilege escalation in IBM Licensing Operator 9.0.0, 9.0.1, 9.1.0, and 9.2.0 allows local users to gain root in its container. The operator image assigns group read-write permissions to /etc/passwd, allowing a group member to alter this security-critical account database. Exploitation requires local code execution inside the container; the published evidence establishes container root, not a host-level escape.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in IBM Licensing Operator 9.0.0, 9.0.1, 9.1.0, and 9.2.0 allows local users to gain root in its container. The operator image assigns group read-write permissions to /etc/passwd, allowing a group member to alter this security-critical account database. Exploitation requires local code execution inside the container; the published evidence establishes container root, not a host-level escape.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-12985
- Published
- Jan 20, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 20, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-732, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 20, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 20, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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What is affected?
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Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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