Security Bulletin
Summary
IBM Virtualization Engine TS7700 is susceptible to Elevation of Privilege conditions due to the use of IBM Storage Virtualize (CVE-2025-36120). TS7700 uses IBM Storage Virtualize to perform operations related to storage virtualization and internal system configuration tasks.
Vulnerability Details
CVEID: CVE-2025-36120
DESCRIPTION: IBM Storage Virtualize 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, and 8.7 could allow an authenticated user to escalate their privileges in an SSH session due to incorrect authorization checks to access resources.
CWE: CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization
CVSS Source: IBM
CVSS Base score: 8.8
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
Affected Products and Versions
| Affected Product(s) | Version(s) |
| IBM System Storage Virtualization Engine TS7700 | 3957-VED |
| IBM System Storage Virtualization Engine TS7700 | 3948-VED |
| IBM System Storage Virtualization Engine TS7700 | 3948-VEF |
All versions of microcode for the IBM Virtualization Engine TS7700 (3957-VED, 3948-VED and 3948-VEF) prior to and including the following are affected:
| Machine Type | Model | Release | Version |
| 3957 | VED | R5.4 | 8.54.2.17 |
| R6.0 | 8.60.0.115 | ||
| 3948 | VED | R5.4 | 8.54.2.17 |
| R6.0 | 8.60.0.115 | ||
| VEF | R6.0 | 8.60.0.115 |
Note: End of Development (EoD) support was announced for 3957-VEC, effective 31 December 2023, after which time no more code fixes will be provided. Please see https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/2023-hardware-maintenance-services-withdrawal for more information.
Remediation/Fixes
IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now by visiting https://tape.ibmrcl.enterpriseappointments.com/v2/ or contacting IBM Service at 1-800-IBM-SERV to arrange an upgrade to the latest microcode version followed by the installation of the appropriate VTD_EXEC as needed. Minimum microcode versions are shown below:
| Machine Type | Model | Release | Fix |
| 3957 | VED | R5.4 | Upgrade to 8.54.2.17 + VTD_EXEC.347
-OR- Upgrade to 8.54.1.27 + VTD_EXEC.347 |
| R6.0 | Upgrade to 8.60.0.115 + VTD_EXEC.347 | ||
| R6.1 | Upgrade to 8.61.0.60 | ||
| 3948 | VED | R5.4 | Upgrade to 8.54.2.17 + VTD_EXEC.347
-OR- Upgrade to 8.54.1.27 + VTD_EXEC.347 |
| R6.0 | Upgrade 8.60.0.115 + VTD_EXEC.347 | ||
| R6.1 | Upgrade to 8.61.0.60 | ||
| VEF | R6.0 | Upgrade 8.60.0.115 + VTD_EXEC.347 | |
| R6.1 | Upgrade to 8.61.0.60 |
The minimum VTD_EXEC version is shown below:
| VTD_EXEC Package | Version |
| VTD_EXEC.347 | v2.14 |
Installation Details
| Concurrent | Yes |
| Local Machine State | Online, Offline, Service |
| Remote Machine State | Online, Offline, Service |
| Time of Installation | The VTD_EXEC.347 should be installed immediately after the TS7700 microcode activation process completes. This ensures that all recent fixes, firmware updates, security updates are applied and that the system operates under the latest certified firmware levels. Maximum installation time typically requires up to 8 hours and can be performed concurrently while the system is online or in service mode |
| Installation Time Required (mins) | Up to ~480 minutes (~8 hrs) |
Workarounds and Mitigations
Although IBM recommends that you upgrade to the fixes identified above, you can mitigate, but not eliminate the risk of these vulnerabilities by restricting physical and network access to the TS7700 to authorized users and IBM Service Personnel only.
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Acknowledgement
This vulnerability was reported to IBM by Jakub Sajniak & Patryk Rejchert of STM Cyber.
Change History
27 Oct 2025: Initial Publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
27 October 2025
Initial Publish date:
27 October 2025
UID
ibm17248572