IBM Support

License Service: Privilege escalation vulnerability

Troubleshooting


Problem

The /etc/passwd file has RW group privileges and is vulnerable to a proven root escalation.
 

CVE Details

CVEID: CVE-2025-12985
Description: IBM Licensing Operator incorrectly assigns privileges to security critical files which could allow a local root escalation inside a container running the IBM Licensing Operator image.
CWE: CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
CVSS Source: IBM
CVSS Base Score: 8.4
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
Severity: High

 

Acknowledgment

IBM would like to thank Antony Di Scala and Mike Whale for reporting this issue.

Resolving The Problem

The fix is provided in License Service version 4.2.18.

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
03 February 2026

UID

ibm17243285