Root access via USB storage enumeration
Published Dec 2, 2025 · Updated Aug 26, 2026
Privilege escalation in Entrust nShield appliances through 13.6.11 or 13.7 allows physically proximate attackers to gain root access via a USB drive. The Legacy GRUB configuration passes /dev/sda5 as the root device; an inserted USB drive enumerates as /dev/sda, causing the kernel to mount its fifth partition without authentication or verification. Direct access to an enabled front USB port during boot or the internal USB port is required, and the path compromises the server appliance rather than the embedded HSM or its cryptographic keys.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Entrust nShield appliances through 13.6.11 or 13.7 allows physically proximate attackers to gain root access via a USB drive. The Legacy GRUB configuration passes /dev/sda5 as the root device; an inserted USB drive enumerates as /dev/sda, causing the kernel to mount its fifth partition without authentication or verification. Direct access to an enabled front USB port during boot or the internal USB port is required, and the path compromises the server appliance rather than the embedded HSM or its cryptographic keys.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-59699
- Published
- Dec 2, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-290, T1068
- Attack vector
- physical
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 2, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Technologies
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